Architecture and design Esports venue opportunities, multipurpose stadiums of the future -- giving fans multi opps for entertainment during a day out at an event
Dustin Sweeney Senior Designer - Esports
ow do you host an esports event in a venue that manages to suit players, sponsors and the fans? Most tournaments and leagues have been run from one main arena, such as the Blizzard Arena in Burbank California. However, in the next few years, we will see an increase in custom built and multi-faceted arenas for professional teams — such as the Philadelphia Fusion who announced a $50million(£38m), 3,500seat arena for the 2021 Overwatch League season.
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Behind these arenas are not just teams and investors but the architecture firms that are leading the innovations to improve all facets of fan engagement and sponsorship spaces. 26
AUTHOR Laura Byrne @SimplyLaura123
Dustin Sweeney, Senior Designer Esports at HKS knows all about this after the companies work on the LA Stadium and Entertainment District in the Los Angeles Metro Area. Dustin talked us through where he sees the future of esports venues, giving fans the most engagement opportunities and how multipurpose stadiums are vital. The Esports Journal: When and how did esports first appear on HKS’s radar? Dustin Sweeney: Esports and competitive gaming have been on our radar for the better part of a decade. We have been working on a number of esports projects with our partners and team owners for traditional sports. As global competitions began to draw participation levels of 30,000 and
40,000 consistently, we knew this trend wasn’t going away. Today one of our premier projects - the LA Stadium and Entertainment District in the Los Angeles Metro Area, will include targeted programming to ensure esports is a prime consideration for venue scheduling and programming. As a category leader in creating premier sports venues globally that are both brand-focused and programmed to inspire audiences and fans, we knew early on that esports would be territory where we had to plant our flag.
“Esports and competitive gaming have been on our radar for the better part of a decade”
