A Mobile GAMe Just Packed Vietnam's National Stadium

Last weekend, a mobile GAMe packed Vietnam's national stadium. I was there both days, and I'm still thinking about it.

Liên Quân Mobile (Arena of Valor) turned 10, and Garena marked it with Liên Quân 10 Fest at Mỹ Đình National Stadium in Hà Nội. More than 11,000 fans came on Saturday 7 November for the Đấu Trường Danh Vọng finals. More than 22,000 came on Sunday for a concert with over 30 artists. It was the biggest esports event Vietnam has ever hosted.

Soobin performing on the centre stage at Mỹ Đình National Stadium, surrounded on every side by thousands of fans at Liên Quân 10 Fest — Soobin on the centre stage at Mỹ Đình National Stadium. Photo: Zeit Media

A new name on the trophy

The final told its own story. FPT Polytechnic were down 1-2 to BOOM Esports of Indonesia, then won three straight GAMes to take their first title. Saigon Phantom, 10-time champions, went out one round earlier. I love that. A scene is healthy when a new team can win, and when a team from Indonesia is fighting for our trophy in our national stadium.

GAM was there

Our Arena of Valor men's and women's teams stood on that stage in GAM jerseys. At our booth they met fans both days, with photos, autographs and plenty of giveaways. To everyone who came up to say hi, and to everyone who went home in a GAM jersey: thank you. I mean it.

GAM's Arena of Valor men's and women's players lined up on the Liên Quân 10 Fest stage in black and gold GAM jerseys, arms crossed in the GAM pose — GAM's Arena of Valor men's and women's teams on stage at Liên Quân 10 Fest

The moment I'll remember came after the final on Saturday night. I took the team out to eat. I looked around and saw more than 30 of us: our men's and women's AOV teams, our media team and our commercial team, every one in a GAM jersey. Just last year I thought about walking away from esports. A few hours earlier we had been standing in the national stadium. I didn't say much at dinner. I was just thankful.

World-class, built in Vietnam

A weekend like this doesn't happen without the people who build the show. Show director Nguyễn Hữu Trung and the team at Zeit Media have been raising the standard of live events in Vietnam for years. This was the biggest production they have ever put on, and it asked more of them than a concert does. The same stage had to carry a championship final on Saturday and a stadium show on Sunday. They delivered both. Esports in Vietnam now has a production team that belongs on any stage in the world, and I'm proud to see them do it at home.

The Liên Quân 10 Fest main stage lit in white and gold, with Ngô Lan Hương and dozens of dancers in front of a giant Arena of Valor hero statue — Ngô Lan Hương on the main stage on concert night. Photo: Zeit Media

Flames and sparks firing across the Liên Quân 10 Fest main stage during Quang Hùng MasterD's set, under a giant Arena of Valor hero statue — Quang Hùng MasterD on the main stage. Photo: Zeit Media

TK Nguyen in a GAM jersey backstage at Liên Quân 10 Fest with Thái VG, Lil Wuyn, BigDaddy and Tiffany from Dirty Coins — Backstage with Thái VG, Lil Wuyn and BigDaddy, who performed on concert night, and Tiffany from Dirty Coins

If you lead a brand

Here is what I'd want you to take from the weekend. Young Vietnam showed up, bought a ticket, bought a jersey, and came back the next day. They did it for a GAMe that lives on the phone in their pocket.

One big weekend doesn't make an industry. What makes it is the work in between: the leagues, the teams, the creators and the communities that show up every week. That is the work GAM does, and it's where the right partners come in. If you want to be part of it, let's talk.