Massive Esports Arena Coming To Arlington

ARLINGTON, TX — Competitive gamers in North Texas are in for a treat. A facility encompassing some 100,000 square-feet of gaming space is set to open its doors this fall in Arlington.

Home already to the University of Texas at Arlington, Texas Rangers, Dallas Cowboys, the WNBA’s Wings and Six Flags Over Texas, the City is working to bring access to a different but rapidly growing corner of the sports entertainment market — competitive gaming.

The esports stadium, which will take over the former Arlington Convention Center, is designed to draw competitive players and fans from around the world.

Mayor Jeff Williams said in a statement to the press that the venture, embarked upon alongside Esports Venues, LLC, will help Arlington continue to boast its image as a tourist destination. (Click here to subscribe to Arlington Patch's newsletters.)

“Being on the forefront of new ideas and setting trends is in our DNA and part of who we are as The American Dream City,” Williams said. “Esports Stadium Arlington will further cement our city’s status as a national and international tourist destination. Players and fans will come here for the tournaments and they’ll stay even longer to experience everything Arlington has to offer.”

The City of Arlington and Esports Venues, LLC, plan to invest $10 million into the Arlington Convention Center to transform it into a stadium that offers the most immersive spectator experience in the live esports event market.

“This esports stadium will transform the Arlington Convention Center and position the city as the epicenter for esports in the heart of North America,” said Brian Mirakian, senior principal at Populous. “Esports fans will encounter a live experience unlike any other, by way of space for up to 1,000 spectators, VIP amenities and year-round event potential.”

In 2017, the global esports market was valued at nearly $493 million. By 2020, esports is estimated to be a $1.5 billion industry.

Ron Price, CEO and president of the Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau, said the investment will benefit the city by bringing in an entirely new crowd of sports fans.

“We are creating the most unique and technologically advanced space available for meetings and conventions in North Texas. The production capabilities and technological innovations being introduced to the current facility are like nothing the market has seen before,” Price said. “Arlington’s ability to deliver an elevated customer experience can only serve to expand the meeting and convention market for the city."

The City’s planned stadium, which displays the adaptive re-use potential of esports, would feature a major competition event space, gaming, retail and social spaces, VIP hospitality, a broadcast studio and team training areas.

“I know the gaming community across the globe is going to fall in love with this stadium and with Arlington,” Mayor Williams said. “We’re ready for the biggest tournaments in the esports industry to call Arlington home.”

In November 2017, Complexity Gaming, another esports organization, announced its move to The Star in Frisco. When the projects are completed, both Arlington and Frisco will be home to esports gaming facilities — a first for North Texas.

Image via City of Arlington
This report was compiled with information from a City of Arlington press release