Arlington Stadium Hosts First Live Esports Competition Since Pandemic Began – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth

Arlington Esports Stadium welcomes fans back inside for its first live esports competition in more than a year.

The stadium was built in 2019 and is considered the largest esports facility in North America. Chino Lee is the stadium’s chief revenue officer.

“Esports is a booming industry that has been booming for the past few years,” said Lee. “The easiest way to put it is with the audience. The NFL’s 2019 viewership was 141 million. Directly below that was second place with esports with 81 million viewers. “

The stadium will host the Battle for Texas game between the Dallas Fuel and the Houston Outlaws in the Overwatch League on Friday. The match is the first major eSports event since February 2020.

The Outlaws play from Houston, which means that on Friday only the Fuel will be presented to the audience in Arlington.

Justin Rojas, vice president of Envy Gaming, said the event is expected to attract fans from all over the country and some from overseas. The capacity is limited to 50%, the approximately 1,000 tickets available are sold out within 72 hours.

“I think our fans in particular are very passionate about the game and our team. You’re really excited to get back in the room. It’s a really big community for us. The game itself is all about community and working as a team, ”said Rojas.

Cesar DeLeon drove out of San Antonio to see the event in person.

“The road trip was worth it. Got a pile of beef jerky on the way here. We’re filling up with snacks, ”DeLeon said. “Especially to have a group … all of these people. Usually in public, okay … I’m just a weird guy who plays Overwatch, but all of these people play Overwatch and it’s bloody great. “

Irving’s Felipe Sorto attended the game on Friday with his brother.

“I’m a huge basketball and soccer fan, but getting a little break from this stuff and watching a game I play really gets me excited,” said Sorto.

Lee said although there are many attendees from the area, the national event stands ready to give the city of Arlington an economic boost.

“That brings the city a lot of income,” he says. “So the hotel industry is satisfied. The restaurants are satisfied. Of course we are happy. “

The game starts at 5 p.m. and will also be streamed on the Overwatch League YouTube channel.

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