The esports game hits Arlington. Will it be bigger than the Cowboys and the Rangers?
In a city filled with professional and collegiate sports, there’s a new game in town this weekend — and it won’t be taking place at AT&T Stadium or Globe Life Park.
Esports Stadium Arlington, billed as the largest dedicated facility of its kind in North America, begins hosting games on Saturday.
And judging by the reaction of esports fan, player and UT Arlington student Mateo Escamilla, the new venue inside the Arlington Convention Center is going to be a hit with its target audience..
“My first reaction walking in here was my mind was blown,” Escamilla said. “This is not what I expect to see 10 minutes from my campus where I could play with my team. We’re always going to be here. My goal is to be here every day.”
UTA has one of the top collegiate esports programs in the country and will have its own team room at the new 100,000 square-foot arena. The stadium can be configured to seat between 250 and 2,500 fans.
And the public will be able to come in and play on dedicated computers in the lobby every day from 12 p.m. to 2 a.m., said Jonathon Oudthone, founder and president of NGAGE Esports.
“What we’re doing here is going to completely define the industry,”Oudthone said. “Maybe we’ll take over the old Rangers stadium one day.”
And Oudthone said that isn’t idle boasting — some esports events have been held in arenas ranging from 22,000 to 60,000.
“I think it’s very realistic,”Oudthone said. “I think we’re a lot closer than people think.”
A report by Deloitte projects the global esports market will generate $1.5 billion in annual revenue by 2020 and reach a global audience of 600 million fans. A Nielsen study found the Western audience was 71 percent male with an average age of 26.
For Mayor Jeff Williams, the new esports stadium cements Arlington’s spot as the top entertainment destination between Orlando and Las Vegas. With its centralized location just 10 minutes from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, the new esports stadium will attract a whole new group of fans to area.
The new stadium’s grand opening occurs on Saturday as it hosts the Esports Championship Series Season 6 Finals. Eight teams will be competing, playing Counter Strike, over two days for a $750,000 prize pool.
Tickets are $25 for a standard ticket and $50 premium ticket that is being touted as “the best seats in the house” to watch teams play on an 85-foot screen in what was once the main ballroom in the convetion center.
During the first year, Oudthone expects to have 30 esports events and then it will grow from there. The technology can also be used for TED Talks and chamber events as well as the mayor’s state of the city.
The City Council approved a $10 million renovation of the Arlington Convention Center earlier this year and approved a $250,000 annual lease agreement with Esports Vanues, LLC. The city will also get a portion of the revenue from tickets sales and other fees associated with esports events, said Deputy City Manager Jim Parajon
When the stadium was first announced in March, Ken Hersh, a minority owner in the Texas Rangers and a co-owner in Team Envy, an esports franchise, said it is similar to a traditional professional sports league.
“I see it exactly the same,” Hersh said. “It’s entertainment. It’s engagement. It’s excitement. The players have skills. They have an affinity for their team and there’s competition.”
This story was originally published November 19, 2018 at 4:56 PM with the headline "The esports game hits Arlington. Will it be bigger than the Cowboys and the Rangers?."
