While pickleball has secured its spot as the fastest-growing sport in the United States, esports is catching up. In the past 15 years or so, competitive gaming has emerged as a viable sport in a $1.7 billion global market, anchored by cool arenas designed specifically for high-end battles, a rabid fan base and — as of last summer — the backing of the International Olympic Committee.
The IOC approved the creation the Olympic Esports Games and announced Saudi Arabia will host the event for the next 12 years, beginning this summer and happening every two years in between the Summer and Winter Games. IOC President Thomas Bach said at the time that the Olympic movement is “keeping up with the pace of the digital revolution.”
While details of the inaugural Olympic Esports Games are still emerging, popular gaming franchises generally associated with esports include League of Legends, Dota, Overwatch, Super Smash Bros., Rocket League, Counter-Strike and others. And competitions don’t necessarily need to be held in esports-specific venues.
“Unlike traditional sports tournaments that can require very specific facilities, esports are unique in that we can generally turn a meeting space into a perfect space for gaming,” says Igo Bakovic, director of the DuPage Sports Commission in Oak Brook, Illinois. “DuPage County has a wealth of venue space for esports events along with a vast selection of amenities and accommodations. Additionally, we have the right people in place to support growth in this market. There is a need in the Midwest for more tournaments at every level, and DSC has the vision, commitment and capability to fill those gaps.”
Sports tourism officials from coast to coast are increasingly recognizing the powerful pull of esports and its economic impact.
“Esports events have significantly contributed to sports tourism in Irvine,” says Dave Lucey, director of sales at Destination Irvine in California. “Major esports tournaments draw thousands of attendees, [and] hosting international events puts Irvine on the global map, attracting tourists from around the world. Esports events can enhance the city’s image as a dynamic and innovative destination.”
In some cases, esports destinations are home to successful college and university programs with designated facilities, such as the University of California, Irvine and the University of Akron in Ohio. Others, like DuPage County and Surrey, B.C., offer a variety of other venues capable of hosting esports competitions.
More than 200 colleges and universities offer varsity-level esports teams, according to the magazine EdTech: Focus on Higher Education; in fact, the National Association of Collegiate Esports notes that more than 260 schools across the United States and Canada compete for championships every year across a variety of game titles.
College programs, in turn, are fueling esports at the high school level. The National Federation of State High School Associations reports that more than 27,000 students participated in esports during the 2023-24 academic year, which was an increase of more than 3,125 participants from the previous year.
“I see much more growth in the future, more organizations cementing themselves as cornerstones of the industry, continued growth of grassroots esports at the state level [and] expanded funding for collegiate esports,” Bakovic says.
Here is a breakdown of the esports scenes as they stand right now at six leading destinations that have both the facilities and know-how to bring esports competitions to life.
Fort Worth, Texas
Fort Worth has secured some of the biggest esports events in the United States, many of which are held at Dickies Arena. In 2019, for example, the city hosted the Call of Duty Championship Series that included both a competition and an expo, with more than 5,000 attendees and participants, according to officials at the Fort Worth Sports Commission. Since 2022, Fort Worth has welcomed the Rocket League World Championship, the Halo Championship Series and the Fortnite Battle Royale Global Championship.
“Esports has rapidly evolved into a significant segment within the sports tourism industry,” says a representative of the Fort Worth Sports Commission. “By partnering with esports events, Fort Worth gains exposure to a global audience. High-profile tournaments like Fortnite and Rocket League, with millions of viewers worldwide, can significantly elevate the city’s brand recognition. This level of reach rivals major international events such as the Olympics, providing Fort Worth with a powerful platform to showcase its offerings.”
As proof, the commission notes that the Fortnite and Rocket League events the city hosted back-to-back in 2024 were streamed on major channels and had 31 million and 27 million views, respectively, while the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris garnered 28 million views.
Akron/Summit County, Ohio
The University of Akron was among the first 50 universities in the country to compete at the varsity level in esports, and its program is home to the four-time Collegiate Rocket League national champions. UA boasts three esports facilities, including a gaming lounge, an esports center and the Akron Esports Arena, which is located on the first floor of InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field and is the showcase venue for varsity esports teams. The facility includes a hyperwall display for spectators to watch competitions and a studio for broadcasting competitions and events.
“The university’s esports program brings more than 300 room nights to Greater Akron and Summit County,” says Cindy Coontz, director of sales at the Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We promote esports and are currently pursuing larger events to continue attracting groups to our area.”
In addition to collegiate esports competitions, the University of Akron has hosted the Esports Ohio High School Championships for the past several years — and will do so again in late April.
Irvine, California
Another destination with a successful, high-profile collegiate esports program is Irvine, where the University of California, Irvine emerged as a pioneer by beginning the first esports program of its kind at a public university nearly a decade ago, in 2016.
The move “not only elevated the university’s reputation but has also positioned Irvine as a key player in the global esports scene,” Lucey says. “A passionate and growing community of gamers, streamers and esports enthusiasts has developed in Irvine, fostering a vibrant ecosystem.”
A large part of that ecosystem is the UCI Esports Arena, which is located in the heart of campus and offers 3,600 square feet of space with 36 computers, a broadcast station and spaces for campus clubs and organizations to host events and meetings. The facility attracts both local and international gamers and hosts multiple competitions. Other venues in Irvine suitable for hosting esports events include convention centers and theaters, according to Lucey.
“Esports aligns well with Irvine’s broader strategy of fostering innovation, attracting young talent and promoting a vibrant lifestyle,” he says. “The city’s strong tech industry, including game development companies and esports organizations, as well as its gaming culture, make it an attractive destination for esports professionals and enthusiasts, [and] esports can contribute to economic diversification by generating new revenue streams and jobs.”
Raleigh, North Carolina
In 2024, Raleigh was named a premier destination for hosting esports events by the esports advisory and advocacy firm PLAYHRDR Advisors, which cited the city’s commitment to fostering a thriving esports ecosystem by bringing in major tournaments and competitors from around the world. Such recognition arrived five years after Raleigh tourism officials decided to make esports a priority.
“The esports community in Raleigh has grown exponentially since 2019, when Visit Raleigh and the Greater Raleigh Esports Local Organization Committee (GRELOC) launched an initiative to establish Raleigh as a premier global esports destination,” says Loren Gold, Visit Raleigh’s executive vice president and GRELOC’s co-chair. “GRELOC has played a pivotal role in attracting esports events, leagues, tournaments, teams, players and other related gaming activities to Raleigh while also supporting the local gaming community and university esports programs.”
The city offers no fewer than six “esports-ready” venues, a term defined by including such factors as internet speed and quality, power capacity, operational flexibility and ability to collaborate. Among the venues are the Raleigh Convention Center (which will host an ESL One Dota 2 event in April), the Lenovo Center, the North Carolina State Gaming and Esports Lab, the State Ballroom at NC State’s Talley Student Union, NC State’s Reynolds Coliseum and the Herb Young Community Center in the Town of Cary. Each is backed by a strong infrastructure and a vibrant gaming community, Gold adds.
Surrey, British Columbia
Like other cities, Surrey offers a variety of venues suitable for hosting esports events, including banquet halls, community centers and entertainment facilities, says Nicholas Blaga, community services coordinator for Sport Surrey.
“These venues vary in size and amenities, offering flexibility to accommodate events of all scales,” he notes. “As the community’s enthusiasm for esports continues to rise, Sport Surrey has proactively embraced this evolution by integrating esports into its updated sport tourism strategy.
One of the most significant milestones in Surrey’s esports evolution is the Pataka Esports Festival, which debuted in October and became the largest esports event in city history. Held at the Crown Palace Banquet Hall, the two-day festival attracted participants from across North America and as far away as India, blending South Asian culture, Diwali traditions and free-play and competitive tournaments for Super Smash Bros. and other games.
That’s only the beginning, according to Blaga. “Sport Surrey remains committed to attracting world-class esports events, leveraging partnerships with community and national organizations to build on the successes of past initiatives,” he says. “Local schools and universities have increasingly invested in esports, fostering a growing passion and demand for these events within the community. With its strong infrastructure and vibrant support for emerging industries, the City of Surrey is exceptionally well-positioned to host a diverse range of esports competitions.”
DuPage County, Illinois
As an early adaptor to the esports movement, the DuPage County Sports Commission is one of the few in the country to have created its own gaming event. The Midwest Battleground is one of the commission’s key initiatives, and it showcases top-tier collegiate gamers, as well as open-bracket tournaments, high school competition and educational panels and workshops.
The inaugural event was held in February 2024 and featured 20 different colleges and universities from eight midwestern states competing in Overwatch 2, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and more. This year’s Midwest Battleground will take place February 28-March 2 at the Scrims Esports Gaming Center in the Village of Lisle and the Sheraton Lisle Naperville with even more games, including Valorant and Rocket League.
The Scrims Esports Gaming Center, located 30 minutes from O’Hare International Airport and downtown Chicago, offers 60 PC stations, a broadcasting room and space for spectators, vendors and sponsors. Scrims has hosted a number of mid-size tournaments, according to Bakovic.
Meanwhile, the Sheraton’s 11,500 square-foot ballroom can power premier events and offers breakout spaces. Bakovic credits the facility with helping advance Midwest Battleground. On the docket for the event this year is a college/university fair to give schools an opportunity to highlight their esports programs with students, parents and teachers in attendance. Several educational panels are planned, too, via the Network of Academic and Scholastic Esports Federations.
Other esports spaces in DuPage County include the Waterford Banquet and Conference Center in Elmhurst (which previously hosted the Frosty Faustings IX, X and XI tournaments) and The Westin Chicago Lombard, which hosted Frosty Faustings XIV, XV and XVI; it will host Frosty Faustings XVII in late January with 24 main game tournaments and more than 36 community tournaments. It has become one of the largest esports events in the Midwest.
“Like every other sport, people want community, connection and competition,” Bakovic says about esports enthusiasts. “When you watch an esports tournament, the excitement in the room is palpable. Esports are approachable and easily embraced and that translates to a very positive trajectory.” SDM
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