What Future Esports Venues Could Look Like

The esports venue of the future will look very different from traditional sports facilities, a new report by architecture and engineering giant HOK and software company SAP finds.

Co-author and architect at HOK Nuno Guerreiro says, “Architects and designers have an opportunity to rethink every aspect of the traditional sports and entertainment environment—from a building’s location and form down to the seat.”

According to the research report, dubbed “Developing the Esports Arenas of the Future”, more than 450 million people will view an e-sports event in 2019, making it one of the fastest-growing sectors in the global sports and entertainment industry. 

Key design features explored in the report include a non-traditional seating bowl, an immersive environment, reimagined geometries and spatial organization, more intimacy, a blending of technology with the built environment and hospitality-driven experiences.

The full white paper can be downloaded here.

According to Nuno Guerreiro, architect at HOK and co-author of the report, “purpose-built venues have historically had a significant impact in establishing a sport in a culture and community. Because of the length of these events and technological requirements, esports have a unique audience seeking more connected, hands-on experiences.

Guerreiro collaborated with Carlos de la Barrera, a senior designer at HOK, and Federico Winer, head of EMEA for Entertainment at SAP, to author the report. 

“The esports industry is growing faster than any other entertainment segment, with forecasted growth of 35% year-over-year for the next five years. We see endless opportunities for SAP’s technology solutions to influence and impact the experience for the whole value chain, from publishers to organizers to arenas,” said Winer.

“We are in the era of intelligent enterprises and corporations need to transform data into insights, providing optimal experiences for internal and external stakeholders. These proposed solutions for the future of the esports venues showcase the beginning of how advanced technology, paired with creative built environment solutions, can inspire innovation and digital transformation,” he added.

HOK’s Sports + Recreation + Entertainment practice has expertise in the design of arenas, stadiums, ballparks, training facilities and recreation centers. Current and recent projects include FC Barcelona’s New Palau Blaugrana in Barcelona, Spain; Mercedes-Benz Stadium and the State Farm Arena renovation in Atlanta; Yas Arena in Abu Dhabi; Rogers Place and the Ice District in Edmonton, Alberta; Little Caesars Arena in Detroit; and the renovation of Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.