eSports continue to prove they are not just a fad like boy bands or furbies. They are here to stay. If their explosive growth over the past few years wasn’t enough to prove this, we now have more evidence in the Populous-designed Fusion Arena, the first new-construction, purpose-built eSports arena in the Western Hemisphere.
The $50 million-facility will be built in the heart of the Philadelphia Sports Complex. It will have the ability to seat 3,500 people and will be the home of the Philadelphia Fusion eSports franchise, one of 20 international teams competing in the Overwatch league.
Courtesy Populous.
See Also: The largest eSports stadium in North America opens in Arlington, Texas
The arena will feature 60,000 sf of new construction that will begin this summer. The technologically-advanced arena will include a variety of seating options such as two balcony bars, club seats with USB ports, flexible large boxes, and exclusive suites. Nearly 10,000 sf will be dedicated to a training facility, broadcast studio, and team offices.
Courtesy Populous.
The arena’s exterior will feature a dynamic skin that draws its inspiration from gaming hardware. A 6,000-sf public entry will greet guests and will include 2,000 sf of interactive media surface hovering 30 feet in the air. Industrial materials are incorporated throughout to pay homage to Philadelphia’s heritage as “the workshop of the world.”
The project is slated to open in early 2021.
Related Stories
GIANTS 19 PREMIUM | Dec 23, 2019
Top 65 Sports Facilities Engineering Firms for 2019
Walter P Moore, Kimley-Horn, ME Engineers, Thornton Tomasetti, and EXP head the rankings of the nation's largest sports facilities sector engineering and engineering/architecture (EA) firms, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2019 Giants 300 Report.
GIANTS 19 PREMIUM | Dec 23, 2019
Top 90 Sports Facilities Architecture Firms for 2019
Populous, HKS, HOK, Gensler, and HNTB top the rankings of the nation's largest sports facilities sector architecture and architecture engineering (AE) firms, as reported in Building Design+Construction's 2019 Giants 300 Report.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Dec 6, 2019
An architect in Florence proposes a new soccer stadium as part of a larger urban redevelopment
The owner of Fiorentina, the soccer team, wants to move into a new facility by 2023.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Nov 22, 2019
HKS designs Team Vitality’s new Paris HQ
The facility is meant to draw in more than just eSports fans.
Reconstruction Awards | Nov 8, 2019
2019 Reconstruction Awards: The 1060 Project at Wrigley Field
Venerable Wrigley Field is raised up in a top-to-bottom restoration that took five years to complete.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Sep 30, 2019
Fortress Melbourne will be the largest eSports complex in the southern hemisphere
Populous designed the project.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Sep 2, 2019
An Athletics Hall of Fame opens on the Austin campus of the University of Texas
The facility recounts the narratives of the school’s storied sports history.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Aug 26, 2019
A 360-degree canopy and lighted façade will distinguish Cincinnati’s new soccer stadium
The closest seat will be only 15 feet from the field.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Aug 13, 2019
Calgary’s sports and entertainment district will include the Calgary Flames’ new arena
Rosetti is master planning the project.
Mixed-Use | Aug 12, 2019
BIG will master plan Saudi Arabia's 'Giga-Project'
Qiddiya is currently under construction 28 miles outside of Riyadh.
