Industry News

Vegas set for new esports arena

A new esports venue is set to open in the US city of Las Vegas, Nevada next year.

The Allied Esports network of esports venues has teamed up with Esports Arena, North America’s leading esports venue, community hub and production company, on the venture.

The new venue, entitled Esports Arena Las Vegas, will become the first permanent esports facility on the Las Vegas Strip and is scheduled to open in early 2018.

It is hoped the venue, which will be developed at Luxor Hotel and Casino, will serve as the “global epicentre for esports experiences”. Naming rights opportunities for Esports Arena Las Vegas are being considered.

“We have very ambitious expansion plans over the next two years, and when we realised that a location at Luxor was possible, we jumped at the opportunity to develop our flagship here,” Jud Hannigan, chief executive of Allied Esports International, said.

“Just as Yankee Stadium, Madison Square Garden and Wembley Stadium are considered their sports’ most aspirational venues by players and fans alike, Esports Arena Las Vegas will be the iconic destination in esports and complement the city’s incredible appeal, attracting video gaming competitors and fans from around the world.”

Esports Arena will work with Luxor and design firm YWS Design & Architecture to transform a space currently occupied by a nightclub into a multi-level esports facility.

The arena will feature a competition stage, LED video wall, telescopic seating, daily gaming stations, food and beverage offerings, state-of-the-art streaming and television-quality gaming studios. The arena will host leading esports tournaments and leagues and will seek to provide an unparalleled fan experience.

Tyler Endes, co-founder and chief operating officer of Esports Arena, said: “Esports Arena Las Vegas will be the ultimate esports environment that people from around the world will strive to experience first-hand. The operation and programming will be unique, as the rest of our locations are very much driven to engage and support local communities, while here in Las Vegas we are developing an approach that will also create excitement for the millions of visitors who come to the city every year.”