Bilibili Gaming

Origins and Foundation

Bilibili Gaming was formed in December 2017 when its parent company, the Chinese video platform Bilibili, acquired the League of Legends Pro League team I May. The specific date of the acquisition was December 17, 2017. This move marked Bilibili's official entry into professional esports. The team was immediately rebranded as Bilibili Gaming, establishing its presence in China's premier League of Legends competition. The organization is based in Shanghai.

The organization expanded its competitive footprint in March 2019. On March 12, 2019, Bilibili announced it would field an academy team in Overwatch Contenders China for its Overwatch League franchise, the Hangzhou Spark. This team competed under the Bilibili Gaming name, creating a multi-game esports structure.

League of Legends Journey and LPL Success

As a mainstay of the LPL, Bilibili Gaming built its reputation over several seasons. A significant competitive milestone came in 2023 when the team finished in the top two of the LPL Spring Split. This result qualified them for the Mid-Season Invitational (MSI) for the first time in the organization's history, representing a major step forward.

The team's ultimate breakthrough arrived in the 2024 Spring Split. Bilibili Gaming won its first LPL championship by defeating Top Esports with a 3-1 scoreline in the finals. This victory not only secured the team's first domestic title but also earned them a spot at the MSI tournament for the second consecutive year. This back-to-back qualification confirmed BLG's status as a consistent top-tier Chinese contender on the international stage.

Overwatch Contenders and Early Success

Bilibili Gaming's Overwatch team began competition in the 2019 Season 1 of Overwatch Contenders China. The team performed strongly in the group stage, achieving a 4-1 record which secured their place in the regional playoffs. In their first playoff match, they defeated Team CC, the academy squad for the Shanghai Dragons.

The team's playoff run ended in the semifinals with a 1-3 loss to LGE.Huya, the academy team for the Chengdu Hunters. Later in 2019, BLG competed in the LanStory Cup Summer tournament, an event consisting of the top ten Chinese Overwatch teams. BLG placed second in their group with a 3-1 record to advance. In the playoff bracket, they defeated The One Winner in the semifinals and then triumphed over LGD Gaming in the finals to claim the organization's first tournament championship.

Expansion into VALORANT and Team Status

Bilibili Gaming further diversified its esports portfolio by entering the competitive VALORANT scene. The organization fields a Chinese roster that competes in regional events such as the China Evolution Series. According to available records, the team's total winnings in VALORANT exceed $200,000, specifically noted as $206,191. This move demonstrates BLG's strategy to compete in multiple major esports titles beyond its foundational game of League of Legends.

It is noted that the organization's VALORANT team was reportedly disbanded in 2022, indicating a period of restructuring or shift in focus for that division. However, the organization's primary identity remains tied to its League of Legends success.

Organization Profile, Sponsorship, and Branding

The organization is headquartered in Shanghai, China. For sponsorship reasons, the team has also been known as Bilibili Gaming DreamSmart. BLG maintains official business contacts through email addresses linked to its parent company. The organization's social media presence and fan engagement notably grew after December 2021.

An interesting note from the organization's Overwatch history involves the naming of the Hangzhou Spark. Originally, Bilibili intended to name its Overwatch League team the 'Hangzhou Railgun' to keep a thematic link, but this name was denied. The franchise was subsequently named the Hangzhou Spark, with BLG serving as its academy team in Contenders.