GRID becomes data partner for Clavision’s Snow-Ruyi tournament
Chinese tournament organiser Clavision has appointed GRID, an esports data platform, as the exclusive data distribution partner for the upcoming Dota 2 Masters 2025: Snow-Ruyi tournament. This move marks another significant step in Asia’s growing investment in esports infrastructure, as the region positions itself to compete directly with Western tournaments.
The business behind the partnership
The partnership, announced ahead of the $700,000 tournament scheduled from 28 July to 3 August 2025, at Zhangjiakou’s Bao’an Indoor Stadium, reflects a broader trend among Asian tournament organisers. Increasingly, they recognise that high-quality data infrastructure is essential for delivering premium esports experiences.
This development comes amid the rapid expansion of esports betting, which saw approximately $14.1 billion in wager volume last year, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.7 percent from 2021 to 2024. Four titles—VALORANT, League of Legends, Counter-Strike 2, and Dota 2—account for 85 percent of all esports betting activity.
Speaking on the trend of Chinese organisers like Clavision investing in exclusive data partnerships, GRID spokesperson commented exclusively to SiGMA News, “It’s both. As the production value and scale of tournaments in China grow, there’s a growing need for infrastructure that matches it. Official data unlocks better storytelling for fans and new commercial opportunities—whether it’s content, media, or long-term brand value.”
The Snow-Ruyi tournament will feature 10 invited teams, competing in a group stage from 28 to 30 July 2025, followed by playoffs through to 3 August 2025. Notable participants include Xtreme Gaming, Tundra Esports, and BetBoom Team.
The real-time data revolution
In esports, viewer experience is paramount. Fans expect more than just gameplay—they want real-time statistics, instant replays, and in-depth insights that bring them closer to the action.
GRID enables this by integrating directly with live game servers, allowing every metric, play, and result to be tracked in real time. This enhances match analysis and enables commentators and broadcasters to deliver more accurate and engaging coverage.
GRID spokesperson said, “The difference is in the quality and speed. With GRID’s live server integration, every stat, play, and outcome are tracked in real time and made available instantly. So, broadcasters, analysts, and fans all get a much more dynamic and accurate experience.”
Safeguarding match integrity
With concerns around match-fixing and suspicious betting activity on the rise, GRID also emphasises the role of live data in maintaining integrity. In 2024 alone, GRID’s systems conducted risk assessments on nearly 3,000 team rosters, initiated 49 formal investigations, and flagged over 1,000 rosters for potential integrity risks.
GRID spokesperson explained, “Live data tracking is a cornerstone of maintaining integrity in esports. Every in-game event is automatically captured, time-stamped, and sourced directly from the game server, making it exceedingly difficult to manipulate outcomes or conceal unauthorised activity.”
Asia’s esports infrastructure evolution
The Clavision-GRID partnership is part of a broader movement in Asia to build tournament infrastructure that rivals Western productions. Major publishers are taking notice—Riot Games is bringing this year’s League of Legends Worlds finals to Chengdu, while Rainbow Six continues to enjoy one of its largest fan bases in Japan.
When asked whether Dota 2 tournaments in Asia are now positioning themselves as direct competitors to major events in Europe and North America, the GRID spokesperson responded, “Asia has never really been out of the picture. Back in 2019, GRID had already partnered with the World Electronic Sports Games, signalling the region’s long-standing interest in innovation. Esports is deeply ingrained in Asian culture—from Korea’s PC bangs to the global dominance of the LCK and LPL.”
GRID spokesperson concluded, “Introducing more Asian-based rights holders, like Clavision, onto the GRID Data Platform allows us to provide data-driven integrity measures and fan engagement solutions to new audiences, while equipping local organisers with the trusted data solutions GRID is known for.”
With increased funding and improved data infrastructure, Asian tournaments are becoming more competitive in terms of production value and viewer appeal. As the , the ability of regional organisers to meet the broadcast and technical standards of top-tier international events will be a key test of Asia’s growing esports ambitions.
