Sat Feb 01 06:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Apex Legends Esports Tournament Kicks Off in Sapporo Dome, Drawing 30,000+ Attendees
**SAPPORO, Japan** – The Sapporo Dome hosted the opening day of the Apex Legends Global Series Championship, marking the first time the major esports tournament has been held in Asia. The five-day event, expected to draw over 30,000 attendees, features 40 teams from around the world competing for a prize pool exceeding ¥300 million (approximately $2.1 million USD).
The tournament, organized by Electronic Arts, sees three-person teams battling in intense gunfights for survival. Apex Legends boasts over 100 million players globally.
The opening day featured qualifying rounds, with the Sapporo Dome’s screens displaying the gameplay and erupting in cheers with each victory. Fans expressed their excitement, with one attendee stating the in-person experience surpassed watching online streams. Local residents also voiced their hope for future esports events at the Sapporo Dome.
Sapporo city officials expressed interest in hosting more diverse and large-scale esports competitions in the future.
First Piper 