Offline esports tournaments, commonly referred to as LAN tournaments, are competitions held in dedicated arenas with live audiences, similar to traditional sports games. These arenas have become an integral part of esports events. Major events attract a large number of spectators and are covered by various portals.
Currently, there are numerous esports stadiums worldwide. Some of them are used for various events, including esports competitions. The United States has the highest number of such arenas, closely followed by Germany, the United Kingdom, China, and Scandinavian countries.
Major stadiums in esports
It is part of the massive Singapore Sports Hub complex. The stadium is a multifunctional sports center that hosts competitions of various levels. Additionally, it often organizes entertainment events. The stadium can accommodate 12,000 spectators, and the seating capacity can be adjusted using a modular system. It is also equipped with a roof.
Indoor Stadium (Singapore)
It is part of the massive Singapore Sports Hub complex. The stadium is a multifunctional sports center that hosts competitions of various levels. Additionally, it often organizes entertainment events. The stadium can accommodate 12,000 spectators, and the seating capacity can be adjusted using a modular system. It is also equipped with a roof.
Jeunesse Arena (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
This multipurpose arena with a retractable roof can hold between 15,000 and 18,000 spectators. It hosts both sports and entertainment events. In 2016, the arena hosted the Olympics.
Sangam Stadium (Seoul, South Korea)
The stadium in South Korea was built for the World Cup and can accommodate 66,000 spectators. Since then, it has hosted numerous sports tournaments and concerts. It became part of the esports scene in 2014 when it hosted the League of Legends World Championship.
Commerzbank Arena (Frankfurt, Germany)
With a seating capacity of 50,000, this arena serves as the home stadium for a football club. However, it is also used for esports tournaments, primarily organized by ESL. The arena is equipped with an esports training center.
Banc of California Stadium (Los Angeles, USA)
This stadium, with a capacity of 22,000 spectators, was used for a major Fortnite tournament. Its location is noteworthy as it is situated a few kilometers away from the E3 gaming expo.
What makes LAN tournaments attractive?
In the past, when internet access and speed were not as advanced, organizers had to gather participants in a specific physical location for competitions. With the development of the internet, this necessity has somewhat diminished.
However, offline competitions have not disappeared. LAN tournaments offer several advantages. Firstly, they help eliminate cheaters’ participation. Additionally, it is still challenging to conduct games over the internet between different regions. The ping from Europe to America is already unpleasant, and it becomes even more challenging to connect the Asian or other regions. This often leads to regional qualifications and holding the main competition in a specific physical location.
Furthermore, the presence of spectators cannot be overlooked. While many prefer to watch matches online, many are willing to attend the events in person. This allows organizers to cover expenses through ticket sales and advertisers.
Conclusion
Experts anticipate an increase in the esports real estate market. Many arenas and other venues are currently being built for this purpose. Many existing stadiums have already been renovated for esports.