Electronic Sports League announces ninth Intel Extreme Masters season and Shenzhen tour stop

The Electronic Sports League has announced the ninth season of the Intel Extreme Masters (IEM), with its first stop being in Shenzhen, China on July 16, 2014.

This is the second consecutive year the IEM world tour will begin in China, and the fifth time it has been held in the country. The IEM stopped at Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu in its past season. The pro-gaming tour’s Shenzhen leg will end on July 21, with the “Road to Shenzhen” extended qualifiers starting on June 1, 2014.

“With its tradition in eSports and continuously growing fan base, China is a sleeping giant in professional gaming. Last season the IEM recorded its highest Chinese viewership yet and we want to continue to involve Chinese gamers in global competitions. This is why we come to China every year,” said tour director Michal “Carmac” Blicharz.

Unfortunately for excited fans in the region, no other tour stops have been announced just yet. However, Blicharz has said in an interview with Games in Asia last year that there will be a Southeast Asian stop for the tour each year, as long as everything from budget to venues worked out.

(See: 13 fun facts about the Intel Extreme Masters Singapore (plus some exclusive news about the IEM World Championships!)

The Intel Extreme Masters world tour has included a Singapore stop for the last two years.