An anticipated esports venue will debut this weekend, as Esports Stadium Arlington is slated to celebrate its grand opening on Saturday, November 24.
Billed as the largest dedicated esports facility in North America, the Texas-based venue is notable in several respects. It will span 100,000 square feet within the Arlington Convention Center, and can be planned to accommodate a range of 250 to 2,500 spectators. The venue will be used for a number of tournaments, while also offering dedicated space for the University of Texas at Arlington esports program, and computers within its lobby that are available to the public.
The Arlington City Council approved $10 million earlier this year for the renovation that resulted in the esports facility, and entered into a lease with Esports Venues, LLC for $250,000 annually. With the opening set for Saturday, hype for Esports Stadium Arlington is already building. More from the Fort-Worth Star Telegram:
And the public will be able to come in and play on dedicated computers in the lobby every day from 12 p.m. to 2 a.m., said Jonathon Oudthone, founder and president of NGAGE Esports.
“What we’re doing here is going to completely define the industry,”Oudthone said. “Maybe we’ll take over the old Rangers stadium one day.”
And Oudthone said that isn’t idle boasting — some esports events have been held in arenas ranging from 22,000 to 60,000.
“I think it’s very realistic,”Oudthone said. “I think we’re a lot closer than people think.”
One other notable aspect of Esports Stadium Arlington is its location, as it is close to two of Arlington’s major sports venues. That includes AT&T Field–home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys–and Globe Life Park at Arlington, home of MLB’s Texas Rangers. The Rangers will open the new Globe Life Field in 2020, but it is being constructed adjacent to their current home.
Rendering courtesy Esports Stadium Arlington.
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