An e-sports referee oversees a match at the League of Legends Pro League tournament in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, on April 17. Photo: IC

Despite disruption caused by the ongoing global pandemic, the 2020 League of Legends World Championship (S10) organized by Riot Games will still be held in Shanghai on Friday, marking the first offline international e-sports event in the city this year. 

All 22 qualifying teams from 11 regions have already arrived in Shanghai and are currently conducting their 14-day quarantine, local media the Xinmin Evening News reported.

In terms of the competition's format, the final will be held at Pudong Soccer Stadium on October 31, while the preliminary rounds will take place in a virtual studio without any audience in attendance.

The organizers said they hope to have a limited number of audience members at the final under the premise of safety and health; however, such decisions have not yet been made and will be dependent on the city's epidemic situation and regulations of relevant authorities.

In terms of COVID-19 prevention, all overseas players will follow the city's strict epidemic prevention and control measures, according to the organizers.

A 14-day quarantine is being conducted following their arrival in accordance with the epidemic prevention regulations of the Shanghai municipal government, and players will have body temperatures tested twice a day alongside multiple nucleic acid tests.

Within seven days of the completion of their 14-day quarantine, players will be put under ongoing observation and only be allowed a certain amount of outings in an effort to limit contact and avoid the possible spread of COVID-19.

During the competition, the safety and health of players and event staff will be considered as most important and the venue will be regularly disinfected.

As one of the world's top LOL leagues, the League of Legends Pro League (LPL) in China will have four teams competing in the World Championship, including Top Esports, Suning, JD Gaming and LGD Gaming.