Game on for city esports Arena vision

The ambition and design for the Dundee esports arena is for nothing short of world class. That’s the statement from the operator and architects as new images for the Waterfront arena are revealed for the first time.

Northern Lights Arena Europe (NLAE) hopes to open the arena in 2024. The plans are for a capacity of 4,000 seats.

NLAE said the arena, beside Slessor Gardens, will be “Europe’s first truly digital-enabled arena space”.

Esports are sports competitions using computer games, with teams often competing for multi-million-pound prize pots in the rapidly growing sector.

A four-day esports contest is taking place at Dundee Contemporary Arts this week.

The images show the solar-powered building will be covered in glass with a huge external screen.

Inside the arena, giant screens will broadcast the action as esports teams compete against each other.

NLAE chairman Lord Michael Grade said: “We are very excited to be able to share new concept images of our proposed arena at Dundee waterfront.

“As well as creating jobs and boosting the local tourism industry, the arena would create a world-class experience for esports fans, both in Dundee and virtually.”

The new concept images are by Scottish firms Holmes Miller and ADP Architecture.

Holmes Miller has worked on the Scottish Event Campus – formerly the SECC – in Glasgow. It has decades of experience in the arenas and stadium sector.

ADP Architecture associate Umesh Luharia said last night: “We envisage this to be a landmark building.

“It will bring new degree courses, jobs and benefits to the community whilst committing to deliver a low-energy carbon building for the city.

“The initial concept for the building is to physically reflect the integrated technology of the digital arena and its function into the architecture.”

Along with being a home to some of the world’s top gamers, the arena will provide local education facilities.

NLAE is working in partnership with Abertay University and Dundee and Angus College to integrate state-of-the-art classrooms, professional arena operations and esports teams.

Former BBC chairman Mr Grade said: “Education is at the heart of our mission.

“We are partnering with Abertay University and

Dundee and Angus College to build on their gaming curriculum, in order to provide life-long skills and digital fluency to students in Dundee.”

NLAE has an exclusivity agreement with Dundee City Council.

Council leader John Alexander said there was “clear momentum” in the city with the Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc and Eden Project as well as the forthcoming esports arena.

He said: “The latest images from NLAE offer another glimpse into what could be an incredible project that positions Dundee as a trailblazer in this sector.

“I’m really excited to hear more about their plans and how these will move forward in the coming months.

“Dundee is demonstrating how a small city can make big waves. We are making our elbows felt.”

The waterfront arena will have a capacity of 4,000 seats and is due to open in 2024.

SOLAR-POWERED: A new concept image shows how the arena will be covered in glass.

Council leader John Alexander gets to grips with a racing game at Dundee Contemporary Arts.

The arena, beside Slessor Gardens, will be a low-energy carbon building.