Esports Melbourne: Push for international ‘grand final’ meet for gamers
Move over footy, there’s a new sport hitting Melbourne and it’s now eyeing a grand final event as part of a bold proposal to revitalise Melbourne’s CBD when the pandemic is over.
Victoria
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Melbourne would host a footy grand final-style event for the world’s best gamers as the city makes a move on the $1 billion electronic sports industry.
The annual meet — to be held once the pandemic is over — would be based on hugely popular events in Europe and the US.
It would position Melbourne at the epicentre of esports in Australia.
Lord Mayor Sally Capp, who has formed a high-powered advisory board to reinvigorate the CBD, is leading the digital sports push.
The board, created after the Sunday Herald Sun revealed the number of people in the city had fallen from about a million a day to as few as 50,000, is slated to discuss the gaming championship proposal this week.
Ms Capp said Melbourne had unmatched sporting pedigree and was globally recognised as a city of innovation.
“Melbourne is Australia’s sporting capital and why shouldn’t we be the national leader in esports?” Ms Capp said.
“I think we should consider creating a globally recognised esports event that occurs every year in Melbourne to bring the best competitors in the world to our city.
“We could also tailor a program of events for fans to come and interact with their favourite professional E-athletes.”
The new event would build on the success of the Melbourne Esports Open, postponed this year, which has attracted more than 12,000 fans to Olympic Park.
The city for the first time was also due to host the Intel Extreme Masters, the longest running global pro gaming tour in the world, but it too was postponed.
“We want esports to be a major attraction for young people to come into the CBD and we need to ensure that we work to ensure strong links with city businesses to get the maximum economic benefit for our city,” Ms Capp said.
“This is also something that could really cement Melbourne’s reputation as a global heavyweight in the technology and entertainment sectors.
“I think there are interesting opportunities for establishing training hubs and centres of excellence here in Melbourne.
“Innovation and creativity is in Melbourne’s DNA and we could realise a huge economic opportunity for our city by embracing esports.
“There are new job opportunities with the competitors, fans and also game development and production, where Melbourne already punches above its weight.”
Fortress Esports chief executive officer and co-founder Jon Satterley, whose recently-opened city gaming and esports venue is the biggest in the Southern Hemisphere, said there was huge potential to grow the sector in Melbourne.
Fortress — which includes a 200-seat arena and more than 160 gaming PCs — attracted 2500 visitors on its opening day before having to shut for the first lockdown.
“We believe that Melbourne is the home for video game culture and esports,’’ Mr Satterley said.
“It is a vast market.
“Just think about how many people right now at this very minute are sitting at home playing video games across the city.
“It’s hundreds of thousands of people. Even though you can play at home people will be desperate to get out. The pent-up demand is going to be awesome.”
The Lord Mayor’s advisory board includes NGV director Tony Ellwood, logistics magnate Lindsay Fox and Arts Centre boss Claire Spencer.
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