The largest eSports stadium in North America opens in Arlington, Texas
By David Malone, Associate Editor
Competitive gaming (also known as eSports), the fastest growing spectator sport in the country, now has its largest, most robust venue in North America for fans to enjoy the action. Esports Stadium Arlington is a purpose-built eSports venue that will offer an immersive spectator experience in the live eSports event market.
The $10 million stadium is a renovation project that used 100,000 sf of the city’s old convention center. The new space includes a main competition arena with integrated player and competition screens; team areas with eight “Team Rooms”; a player lounge for players to relax and socialize; support areas; a gamer gallery; custom gaming modules for training; an outdoor terrace; staff offices and media space; and retail.
Photo: Ross Stewart, courtesy Populous
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The space is specifically designed to host eSports events with sightlines, screen sizes, and a player stage all tuned for competitive gaming events. For example, the main competition space features a built-in 85-foot-long LED wall accompanied by an immersive sound and theatrical lighting system. A broadcast studio equipped with Grass Valley systems and an analyst desk for real-time broadcasting allows events to be easily streamed around the world. The venue is highly adaptable and can host local and international events with audiences ranging from 250 to 2,500 people.
Esports Stadium Arlington celebrated its grand opening by hosting FACEIT’s Esports Championship Series Season 6 Finals, a $750,000 prize pool tournament held over Thanksgiving weekend.
