The Overwatch League’s Philadelphia Fusion unveiled plans to build a $50 million esports arena. Comcast, which owns the Fusion, made the announcement alongside real estate firm The Cordish Companies in a press release on Monday.
Fusion Arena will begin hosting Overwatch League matches in 2021, according to Engadget. The 60,000 square foot venue will seat 3,500 fans and include a wide array of seating options such as two balcony bars, club seats with USB ports, flexible loge boxes, and exclusive suites. The Fusion will also have access to a player training facility, broadcast studio, and team offices being built inside the arena. Architectural firm Populous led design for the arena. Construction is expected to begin this summer.
“Fusion Arena gives esports fans a best-in-class venue to call home and be proud of. Beyond competitive gaming, it’s a stunning facility that will host a wide array of events,” said Dave Scott, Chairman and CEO at Comcast Spectacor, in a press release.
The building itself will be located in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, which is already home to the city’s pro teams from all of the big four U.S. leagues. Telecommunications equipment provider ARRIS signed a sponsorship deal with the Philadelphia Fusion this past January, meaning the company might be a leading candidate to supply the broadband technology and infrastructure that will be needed at Fusion Arena.
SportTechie Takeaway
Overwatch League began its second season in February. All 20 teams still play most of their matches at Blizzard Arena in Los Angeles, though the league’s CEO recently announced that all teams will play in their home markets in 2020, according to ESPN. That means the Fusion must find a temporary home in Philadelphia before moving into Fusion Arena in 2021.
At 100,000 square feet, Arlington Esports Stadium will remain the largest esports venue in North America even after Fusion Arena is built. However, Fusion Arena can seat up to 1,000 more fans than Arlington’s stadium, which takes up about half the space inside the Arlington Convention Center.