The AFL Aussie rules football league is reportedly keen on staging its own esports tournament at Melbourne’s Etihad Stadium.
The league purchased the venue last year in a deal said to be worth A$200m (£115.5m/€136.7m/$149.2m).
According to Australian newspaper The Age, the AFL is now eyeing up the 53,000-seat stadium as a potential host of an esports competition as it looks to tap into a sector that is rapidly growing.
Darren Birch, the AFL’s growth, digital and audiences general manager, told The Age: “Esports events sell out. They are amazing live events.
“There are more screens, more activities going on, more lights, more LED displays. Some of the tournaments I have seen show that esports is more concert-like than sport-like, but that’s what appeals to that younger audience. All of these things make the experience bigger and bolder than your average sport.”
The league’s esports plans are also said to include clubs sponsoring or forming its own teams.
The Etihad Stadium is currently used by AFL teams Essendon, Carlton, North Melbourne, the Western Bulldogs and St Kilda, as well as A-League football outfit Melbourne Victory. The ground also hosts cricket matches and music events, and recently staged Justin Bieber and Adele concerts.
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