A 25,000 square foot esports complex called Cyber Games Arena opened in Hong Kong earlier this week. The facility cost HK$30 million ($3.8 million) to construct and intends to turn Hong Kong into a premier destination for growing talent in the esports industry.
The venue was built and named for Hong Kong-based esports firm Cyber Games Arena. The two-floor venue consists of training centers, a competitive arena for up to 80 gamers, television broadcast and online streaming studios, as well as a retail area. Cyber Games Arena expects to attract 1.2 million visitors per year across more than 100 local and international esports competitions, according to the South China Morning Post.
“Our vision is to connect gamers from all over the world and expand our presence to other regions in Asia, such as Vietnam and Thailand. We hope to provide impetus and momentum for the esports industry to thrive,” said Ryan Chow, CEO of Cyber Games Arena, according to SCMP. “Through this arena we hope to showcase to Hongkongers that esports can actually churn out a lifelong lucrative career for young enthusiasts, even though they may not be good at school,” added Chow.
Over the past year, the Hong Kong government strengthened its support for the city’s esports industry by allocating HK$100 million to Cyberport, a business park in Hong Kong. That funding will be used to build an HK$50 million esports competition venue at the park and to nurture talent for local business startups according to SCMP. Carrie Lam, the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, was present to officiate the opening of Cyber Games Arena on Monday.
“Apart from subsidies, we will also improve the business environment and remove red tape,” Lam said according to SCMP. “The Innovation and Technology Bureau, the Home Affairs Bureau and other departments are working together to solve problems related to e-sports venues—a new guideline will be issued soon to help the esports industry.”
SportTechie Takeaway
According to the South China Morning Post, Lam said she hopes new venues such as Cyber Games Arena will help train Hong Kong gamers to compete in the 2022 Asian Games, which will include esports as an official medal event.
While the Hong Kong government has opened its pockets to eagerly help grow the territory’s local esports scene, the Chinese government has implemented restrictions on video game production and blamed video games for poor eyesight among citizens. Those strict regulations contributed to Tencent’s $20 million stock decrease last September.