Sports and esports investment and advisory firm Guinevere Capital has revealed plans for a new esports facility at Auckland’s Eden Park stadium.
It is hoped that the Eden Park Esports High Performance Centre will serve as a hub for the Oceanic esports community and a “next-generation” training centre for esports stars. It is expected that the facility will open in the third quarter of 2020.
The facility will provide leading esports teams in the region, including the Dire Wolves, with professional practice spaces, stream booths and broadcast capabilities. The centre will also act as a community hub for gaming and host weekly league competitions.
The facility will feature a broadcast area for live matches and commentary, LAN areas for large-scale events, and 5G and fibre capabilities. Permanent streaming booths will also be set up and made available for local and visiting content creators.
Eden Park is New Zealand’s largest stadium with a capacity of up to 60,000 and is primarily used to stage rugby and cricket matches. It is hoped the esports centre will attract new audiences to the venue.
Eden Park chief executive Nick Sautner said: “New Zealand’s national stadium is iconic and at the centre of many special memories for both Kiwis and tourists around the world. The Esports High Performance Centre will showcase Eden Park’s ongoing ability to diversify, evolve, and be at the forefront of new technology.”
Guinevere Capital is seeking to develop local esports ecosystems in Australia, New Zealand and Europe. The Eden Park facility is the latest in a series of esports centres the firm is launching, with others having already debuted at Twickenham and the Sydney Cricket Ground.
David Harris, managing director at Guinevere Capital, said: “The Eden Park Esports High Performance Centre will be a melting pot of the ANZ esports and gaming communities, where we can develop our esports science and training philosophies, and provide the infrastructure for players and streamers to hone their craft and build their brands.
“Whilst esports is a hugely modern industry which brings a new brand of athlete, setting up a facility like this in Eden Park, which holds immense legacy and cultural significance, feels fitting. Esports is going to be a huge part of New Zealand’s future, and we’re proud that we get to be a part of that.”
Image: Esports High Performance Centers – YouTube
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