South Korea’s web portal and search engine Naver and video game company KRAFTON have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to work together on growing the esports scene around the popular game PUBG: Battlegrounds.

The agreement brings together Naver’s live-streaming platform, Chzzk, and KRAFTON’s PUBG esports brand. The companies say they want to combine their platforms, game content, and online communities to create new opportunities for fans.

As part of the plan, Naver will broadcast PUBG esports tournaments on Chzzk and form partnerships with esports leagues. The goal is to give fans more ways to watch and follow the competitive PUBG scene, with some content available only on Chzzk.

The two sides also plan to run joint promotions and fan events tied to the PUBG esports league schedule. A big part of the deal focuses on Chzzk’s community of streamers. Naver says it wants to give streamers more freedom to create their own PUBG-related content, suited to their personal style and their fans.

Naver and KRAFTON are kicking off their collab with PUBG Nations Cup 2026 (PNC 2026), the global esports national team showdown happening in Seoul. The company will also set up a CHZZK streaming booth at the venue during the grand finals from the 26th to the 28th.

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Shin Seul-ki, Naver Game Content Partnership Lead, said, “By combining the global IP competitiveness of PUBG: Battlegrounds esports with CHZZK’s streaming and community capabilities, this will create an opportunity to expand user-centered esports viewing experiences.”

Suyong Park, KRAFTON Head of Esports, said, “Through this agreement, we plan to expand links with external platforms and accelerate efforts to strengthen the competitiveness of PUBG: Battlegrounds esports content.”

For the past few months, KRAFTON has put a lot of effort into esports, signing several new deals. Two months ago, the company signed a three-year deal with KeSPA to support esports in schools. Then in December 2025, it announced it would invest roughly Rs 1,800 crore (about $200 million) in India over the next three to four years which will be utilised for several developments including esports production and gaming.

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