Esports company Glytch has announced its plans to build 32 esports arenas throughout Canada and the United States in the next seven years. The California-based company is currently building its first esports facility in Los Angeles. It plans to break ground on its second arena in Columbus, Ohio.
“Ohio has a booming esports fan base, and we are proud to be serving the Buckeye State with a true, professional esports stadium,” says Michael Williams, chief visionary officer at Glytch. “We firmly believe this is the next step in esports. Instead of hosting every major esports league and all the teams in Los Angeles, we believe in regional stadiums with local teams. We want everyone across the country to enjoy what this phenomenon has to offer.”
Glytch plans to begin building its Columbus facility this Spring. The company expects it to be ready to open in 2024 or 2025. At 100,000 square feet, the new facility will offer a broadcasting studio, an esports stadium featuring 2,000 seats and an entertainment venue. The esports facilities will also act as official homes to professional esports teams. Additionally the facilities will be able to accommodate concerts, comedy shows, TED Talks and town hall meetings.
The company plans to spend up to 54 million on each stadium and anticipates it will launch four facilities by the beginning of 2025. Currently, Glytch is in partnership with Legends, an entertainment experience company that will act as the exclusive operator of the company’s future stadiums.
The Growth of Esports
The 2020 lockdown led to a surge in the popularity of esports. Esports is already a mainstream form of entertainment in Southeast Asia. Likewise, Saudi Arabia launched its gaming and esports strategy last autumn.
In 2022, Motorsports UK hosted its first British F4 Esports Championship. This year Israel plans to host the Accords Esports Peace Games Tournament. Even Lego is cashing in on the Esports industry with its new Gaming Tournament Truck Lego Set.
Jack Brassell is a freelance journalist and aspiring novelist. Jack is a self-proclaimed nerd with a lifelong passion for storytelling. As an author, Jack writes mostly horror and young adult fantasy. Also an avid gamer, she works as the lead news editor at Hardcore Droid. When she isn't writing or playing games, she can often be found binge-watching Parks & Rec or The Office, proudly considering herself to be a cross between Leslie Knope and Pam Beasley.
