'European first' esports base moves step closer

Plans to create a “European first” national online gaming hub have moved up a level following a funding boost.

British Esports has been backed to deliver the Gaming and Esports Arena in Sunderland.

Bosses say the 15,000sq ft venue will operate as “the St George’s Park for esports” and hothouse players for tournaments including the Esports World Cup and Olympic Esports Games.

They add the site – which has been supported by finance from a “leading high street bank” – will feature a 200-seat theatre, a 17-metre-wide LED screen, performance rooms and broadcast, content and editing studios.

The base – set to neighbour Sunderland AFC’s Stadium of Light – will open early next year and sit alongside the existing National Esports Performance Campus, which already provides bootcamp and training facilities to hone players’ abilities.

Andy Payne, chair of British Esports, said: “This will help train the next generation of esports talent and help to grow the region to be a key leader in esports in the UK.

“The arena completes a multi-year vision to develop a campus that’s built to develop esports athletes, deliver first-class events and support entrepreneurs and creators.

“We have designed our facility so it could be a training and performance hub, run a global esports tournament, host a publisher game launch or be hired out as a music venue.”

Councillor Michael Mordey, leader of Sunderland City Council, added: “The new arena is a game-changing development.

“It will cement Sunderland’s reputation as the home of esports in the UK and provide a major boost to the regional economy, creating high-skilled jobs and attracting visitors from across the globe.”

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