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Esports organizations, much like traditional sports teams, sometimes make certain cities into bases of operation. Traditional esports leagues had no need for city-based esports teams since their operations mostly consisted of small tournaments. Nevertheless, esports teams are usually founded, bred, and developed wherever their owners operate. Theoretically, it used to be easy for a team to uproot and transfer when needed but one Toronto organization is looking to make a permanent home in the Canadian city.
A FITTING HOME FOR A CITY OF CHAMPIONS
OverActive Media, owners of Overwatch's Toronto Defiant and Call of Duty's Toronto Ultra, announced its plans for an esports venue smack dab in the middle of the city. The planned arena will cost around USD 500 million and will seat up to 7,000 fans. OverActive Media hopes to be able to host events sometime in 2025.
Chris Overholt, OverActive president and CEO, talked at length about his companies dreams of owning its own esports venue. It's a lofty dream but they are well on their way to making the arena a reality.
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“It has always been our intention to develop a venue and hosting strategy and to build a facility that could not only serve as an iconic home for our two franchises, but ultimately emerge as a global hub for major international esport events.”
OverActive Media hopes to be able to host upwards of 200 events a year. Additionally, the owners of the arena promise a multitude of event types for the venue. The arena will host music events, conventions, corporate events, and awards shows beyond its initial esports nature. The arena will serve as the home and battleground for both Toronto Defiant and Toronto Ultra. The owners hope to draw in other esports organizations and teams as well.
“We are in the final stages of putting our business terms together with city officials and we are optimistic that we can soon wrap up our discussions to everyone’s satisfaction.”
Hopefully, construction on the arena finishes by the targeted completion date. The development of infrastructure primarily for esports purposes only serves to embolden this exponentially growing industry.
