Esports venue launches at Hillsborough

Article posted by Coliseum, January 19^th, 2024

Image: Sheffield Wednesday

EFL Championship club Sheffield Wednesday has opened a new esports gaming arena at Hillsborough Stadium.

Esports Insider said that in collaboration with several partners, the area will be used by Owls Esports — Sheffield Wednesday’s esports branch of the club — to develop its players and staff.

The build involved the conversion of a pitch-facing executive area located in the South Stand to a dedicated Esports Suite.

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Partnering with EsportsGamingFurniture.co.uk, installation is complete on a custom desk space housing immersive blue and white LED lighting.

Gaming chair manufacturer noblechairs, monitor manufacturer AOC, gaming furniture retailer EsportsGamingFurniture.co.uk, and peripherals brand HyperX all teamed up with Owls Esports to build the facility.

Noblechairs, HyperX, and AOC have provided equipment for the facility.

In addition, noblechairs will launch a range of Owls Esports-branded chairs which will also be made available in the Owls Megastore.

Founded in 2022, Sheffield Wednesday’s esports project included competing in the Virtual Pro League, a platform that utilised FIFA’s (now EA SPORTS FC) Pro Clubs game mode. The club continues to compete in EA Sports FC 24 Pro Clubs tournaments.

Esports Insider further stated that Sheffield Wednesday is one of several football clubs around the world that have embarked on esports initiatives.

Over the years, the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers, Sporting CP, PSG, Barcelona, Manchester City and FC Schalke 04, among others, have branched out into the industry with varying degrees of success.

Rob Hawden, Esports Executive at Sheffield Wednesday Football Club, said, “I am immensely proud to have played a part in delivering this new facility. The aim was always to create a venue here at Hillsborough in which we can create a sustainable grassroots platform.

“This will enable us to build not just a new club brand in Owls Esports, but to help us find and develop our very own esports players and staff of the future. We are excited to see what the future holds in this space!”

Matthew Nichols, Commercial Director of EsportsGamingFurniture.co.uk, said, “We are thrilled to be involved with the Sheffield Wednesday FC Esports brand. When we first engaged with the club, it was clear they had a vision for the future.

“Esports Furniture have vast experience in designing commercial spaces and are hopeful the arena will offer the local community an invaluable home for youth enrichment and highly skilled esports training.”

As part of the project, the Owls have formed a peripherals partnership with HyperX to supply visitors with state-of-the-art gaming equipment.

Christopher Pankhurst, Gaming Talent & Partnerships Lead NWE, said, “HyperX are excited to be involved with the opening of this incredible new gaming space. It is our pleasure to support its growth and development and the young people who are a part of it. We truly believe gaming is a force for good and using it to learn and grow in a facility such as this helps identify and nurture some of the brightest young talent that Sheffield has to offer.”

The Esports Suite will host the upcoming Owls Esports Academy, gaming activations, private party hire and much more!

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