Construction of a $50 million esports arena in South Philly will begin this summer, Comcast Spectacor and The Cordish Cos. announced on Monday.
The Fusion Arena — one of the first, dedicated esports venues in the U.S. — will seat 3,500 video-game spectators nearby to the Wells Fargo Center, Lincoln Financial Field, Citizens Bank Park and Xfinity Live! in the South Philly Sports Complex.
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Comcast Spectacor already is working on some other pricey projects on the 47-acres of the sports complex. The Wells Fargo Center is undergoing a renovation and a $80 million office tower is in the works, too.
This new, mixed-use 60,000-square-foot venture — the site on which it will be built is currently a parking lot — will surely usher in a new era for the popular esports entertainment industry, where gamers compete tournament-style often in front of large crowds. Comcast Spectacor owns the Philadelphia Fusion, which competes in the Overwatch League. Executives are hoping it will become a hub for esports gaming on the East Coast.
Inside, the venue will include a 10,000-square-foot training facility, two balcony bars, a broadcast studio and premium seating that could be used for events like concerts and corporate events. The venue's projected opening is 2021.
“We’ve reached a place now where there is a need for purpose-built esports venues,” Brian Mirakian, a senior principal with architectural firm Populous, said in a statement. “This project represents the prototype of the future.”
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