With the explosion in the popularity of video games in the last two decades, it is no surprise that the esports movement has transitioned from a novelty for a few dedicated fans to a multi-million dollar industry. Thanks to livestreaming services like Twitch.tv, the audience for esports has grown from thousands to hundreds of thousands in just a few years, and gamers from all over the world tune in to watch their favorite games.

While esports tournaments can theoretically be held anywhere that offers electricity and a few tables, the rapidly expanding scale of the events has created unique requirements for venues, which include high-tech video capabilities, fast internet connections, and skilled technical staff.

“A place for the community to meet and play”

Earlier this year, U.K.-based esports organizer Gfinity teamed up with cinema builder Vue to create the U.K.’s first ever dedicated esports venue, Gfinity Arena, as part of the Fulham Broadway Vue Cinema in London.

Now, shortly before the official opening of Gfinity Arena, the company has announced plans to open a second location.

“Ideally, we’d like to build a larger capacity dedicated arena in the UK, but during a period of such fast growth it’s hard to agree on arena capacity and scale,” Gfinity CEO Neville Upton told PCR Online. “For now the UK’s first dedicated eSports arena will help to establish the UK as a hub for eSports and a place for the community to meet and play outside of specific tournaments”

While Gfinity’s venues may be the first permanent gaming arenas in the west, they have existed in parts of Asia for some time. South Korea, which could arguably be considered the birthplace of serious game tournaments, opened its first dedicated esports stadium in Seoul back in December 2005. Even 10 years ago, StarCraft tournaments in South Korea could draw a crowd of over 100,000 people, and professional players in the country have achieved celebrity status.

The creation of permanent esports stadiums in western nations demonstrates the legitimacy of the industry, proving that gaming can be serious business—both for the players and the the sponsors who support them.

photo credit: IMG_0331 via photopin (license)