'Ambitious' gaming and Esports arena planned

PLANS to establish the UK's national gaming and Esports arena in the North East are set to go ahead after the project secured multimillion-pound funding.

- BY GRAEME WHITFIELD

British Esports, the national esports federation for the UK, will create the arena close to the Stadium of Light in Sunderland after securing finance from a leading High Street Bank.

The 15,000 sq. ft. arena, which comes after the opening of the National Esports Performance Campus in Sunderland, is set to open in early 2026. It will feature live events, elite competition, and immersive audience experiences, with facilities including a 200-seat theatre, a 17m-wide LED screen, broadcast, content and editing studios, retail and hospitality, performance rooms and an outdoor activation space.