OPPO leaps into esports as global smartphone partner for League of Legends

Chinese smartphone company OPPO has taken a piece of the esports pie by inking a multi-year partnership with video developer Riot Games to become the exclusive official global smartphone partner for League of Legends (LoL) esports international events. The partnership will last through 2024 and OPPO will have year-round activations centred around the sport’s three annual global tournaments - the Mid-Season Invitational, the All-Star Event, and the World Championship.Beginning with the 2019 World Championship, OPPO will bring fans closer to the action through activations including MVP Presented by OPPO, OPPO Cam, and Welcome to the Rift. OPPO also will activate a series of consumer promotions that give players a chance to win a trip with behind-the-scenes access to the World Championship, All-Star Event, or Mid-Season Invitational.The partnership further diversifies OPPO's sports and entertainment sponsorship portfolio, which currently includes Wimbledon, FC Barcelona, and the International Cricket Council. OPPO joins other renowned brands that have partnered with LoL including Mastercard, State Farm, Alienware, Secretlab, and Louis Vuitton (LV). LV most recently came on board to create a trophy travel case for the Summoner’s Cup, the trophy awarded to tournament champions.Through this partnership, LoL also looks to further enhance fans' live event and viewing experiences around its marquee global sporting events, while OPPO’s long-term commitment  to the industry allows it to engage with the growing passionate player base. Marketing has reached out to OPPO for additional information about the partnership.Brian Shen, OPPO vice president and president of global marketing, said as a consumer-centred brand, OPPO always seeks the right way to communicate with young people, who are its target audience. "This is a great move for Riot and OPPO; the partnership will allow us to continue to strengthen our bond with the young as we join them in celebrating the victory of each game," Shen said.Naz Aletaha, head of global esports business development and partnerships for Riot Games, added that OPPO's commitment to design and innovation are cornerstones in everything it does. "We are thrilled to have them bring their pioneering spirit to our global sport and fanbase,” said . “To be OPPO’s first esports league partner is a powerful testament to the resonance of League of Legends esports, and we look forward to collaborating together to celebrate the sport, our fans, and the love of the game. ”