Here East, a technology and innovation campus, has committed to a project to accelerate the development of an electronic sports hub at London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Supported by the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), Here East has outlined a plan to create a world-class esports organization that will boost job creation and bring a $180 billion industry globally to London.
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park was chosen as the site for a number of reasons. Characteristics like its state-of-the-art sporting venues, close proximity to international esports teams, and close engagement with academic institutions and local initiatives make the park the natural home for esports in the UK.
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is fast becoming the leading destination for esports in the UK, with its premier esports arena, Copper Box Arena, at the centre of this rapidly growing industry.
The 7,500 seater Copper Box Arena, the third-largest in London, has already hosted major esports tournaments featuring popular games such as Apex Legends, League of Legends, Gran Turismo, Clash Royale and Call of Duty, drawing in esports fans from around the world.
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is also a hub of esports education with courses at Staffordshire University London and Teesside University based at Here East and College of Esports at Lee Valley VeloPark. It is also the place where a number of businesses with a direct interest and relations with esports, such as BT Sport, Sports Interactive, and Bidstack have offices.
Esports generated £60 million in revenue across the UK in 2019, and the creation of a world-class project at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park would accelerate industry growth and the resumption of the economy in London.
This month, the Copper Box Arena is working with League of Legends Esports (LoL) to host the League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational (MSI).
