Philedelphia Fusion Reveal State-of-the-Art Esports Arena

Wyatt Fossett,

March 25, 2019 9:00 PM

Comcast Spectacor and the Philadelphia Fusion have officially announced their future home and the "first Esports hub on the East Coast" in a detailed press release.

As the world of Overwatch looks towards the 2020 season, where all Overwatch League teams will play both home and away games, organizations around the league have a lot of work to do. In a story originally published on Philly.com, the Philadelphia Fusion organization announced their plan to build a gigantic state-of-the-art standalone Esports arena within the city's large sports facility complex. But, much like the Fusion's recent playoff performance, it won’t be ready in time. 

(courtesy Comcast Spectacor)
(courtesy Comcast Spectacor)

The proposed 3,500-seat venue that will open to the public in 2021, and live mere minutes away from the home-town hockey team Philadelphia Flyers’ Wells Fargo Center. The Fusion Arena will act as the home arena for the Philadelphia Fusion Overwatch League team but also host "other events" according to Comcast Spectacor's Dave Scott.

“We’re thrilled to introduce a venue like no other as we move forward with the next phase of development within the Philadelphia Sports Complex,” said Dave Scott, Chairman and CEO of Comcast Spectacor.  “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.”

(courtesy Comcast Spectacor)
(courtesy Comcast Spectacor)

Construction of the 60,000 square-foot Esports arena will begin as soon as possible, but it will not be ready for the 2020 season for the Fusion's home games. The team will reportedly use rental space for one season as it wraps up the construction of their new space. The likes of which will house a 10,000 square-foot training facility, broadcast studios, and team admin offices. The entry-way will be a 6,000 square-foot space with 2,000 square-foot media screen hung above. 

Overwatch League commissioner Nate Nanzer said that “this is a huge step for Esports,” and made hints at more news from all over the world on the horizon. Fusion partner and contractor Comcast Spectacor General Counsel Phil Weinberg said in the release that “Esports no longer carries the stigma of you in your basement,” which sounds like a plea to those outside of the business in an attempt to justify the large-scale project. As an industry, that stigma died (internally) a long time ago. 

For fan experiences, the arena not only offers live-stage arena seating, but also includes two balcony bars (with presumed views of the mainstage), and club seats. The Comcast Spectacor announcement also made note that there would be USB ports for those in the club seats, but there’s no indication as to why. Perhaps they are simply offering their fans and spectators free charging capabilities. Either way, it seems like an odd thing to mention. 

Who's Invited to the Party

As for the technical side of things, it has yet to be announced which (if any) partners will be added to the gigantic project. The Philadelphia Fusion have a budding relationship with internet hardware and technology company ARRIS, so it’s safe to assume that this relationship will be a key highlight for the Fusion Arena. 

No one involved has made any mention as to whether or not the extra facilities, like the training center, will be available to the public. Aside from the spectator areas, of course. It’s also unclear at this stage if away games or Blizzard Arena matches will be streamed for a live audience at the Fusion Arena. More information is likely to come as construction gets underway and the opening inches closer. 

(courtesy Comcast Spectacor)
Fusion Arena by the Numbers (courtesy Comcast Spectacor)

More teams across the globe will surely follow (in part) the Philadelphia Fusion's arena announcement, but to what extent has yet to be seen.



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