ESP Gaming and Poker Central team up to create eSports studio at the Aria in Las Vegas
Capitalising on the growing popularity of eSports, ESP Gaming and sister company Poker Central have partnered to create an eSports studio to hold eSports events at the Aria Resort & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip.
The studio will be owned and operated by Poker Central, and will host live eSports events such as the Vainglory Premier League, the mobile eSports league created by Super Evil Megacorp.
Small by eSports standards, the 10,000 square foot facility will have an occupancy of around 300 persons and focus on delivering a special and VIP experience for fans.
Jeff Liboon, president of ESP gaming, said:
“We’ve partnered with MGM and Aria to build out a multiuse poker studio into an arena. Poker Central was building it out for poker events, but it was apparent we needed to change the design, add features, and make it available for eSports competitions.”
Esports tournament organisers will be able to film eSports competitions at the studio and broadcast them live. Poker Central will also use the studio as the home for all of its live events, and the first production will take place May 16 to May 18 with a special grand opening edition of “Poker After Dark.”
The venue features multiple sound stages including a main studio, break desk area and a streaming lounge, which will provide flexibility to host a wide variety of poker and eSports events. The studio will be open to the public on an event-by-event basis. Nevada gaming regulations will apply to all poker events.
The studio will be the second eSports venue on the Las Vegas Strip, as rival Allied Esports, Esports Arena, and MGM Resorts International have built a dedicated eSports venue in the Luxor Hotel and Casino.