Hangzhou, a city in China, is hoping to be the capital of eSports in Asia with the opening of its massive esports town. Spanning 3.94M square feet and costing approximately $280M to build, the eSports town is one of the biggest projects of its nature and is being operated entirely by the Hangzhou government.
LGD Gaming and Allied eSports have already opened a joint office and eSports venue in the town, with this location being the official home venue for LGD's 'League of Legends' Pro League. The Hangzhou government also plans to build 14 facilities in the eSports town, including an eSports academy, eSports-themed hotel, theme park, a business center, and even a hospital designed for eSports players.
Image Credit: Hangzhou
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Massive Esports Centers
- Opportunity for building large-scale eSports facilities to cater to the growing demand for competitive gaming.
- Government-operated Esports Towns
- Potential for governments to invest in and operate dedicated eSports hubs as a means of boosting the local economy and promoting the sport.
- Vertical Integration in Esports
- Opportunities for gaming organizations and industry stakeholders to vertically integrate by owning and operating various eSports-related businesses within the same complex.
Sectors Adopting This
- Gaming Facilities
- Expansion of dedicated gaming facilities and arenas to meet the demands of the growing eSports industry.
- Hospitality
- Provision of eSports-themed accommodations and services to cater to the needs of gamers and enthusiasts visiting eSports centers and towns.
- Education and Training
- Growth of specialized eSports academies and training centers to develop talent and groom future professional gamers.
