Could University of Texas Build an Esports Arena?

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The video gaming industry is booming. And with a lot of people staying at home during the Corona Virus pandemic, the industry really got a shot in the arm (yeah, I went there).

Now the University of Texas in Austin is considering building an arena dedicated to esports according to a report by KXAN-TV.

A growing gaming student group on campus has led to school officials looking at plans for an esports arena.

Longhorn Gaming has been around for 11 years and continues to grow, just like the gaming industry. It has grown so much it just became a sponsored organization at UT, and with that, they are now looking to add a gaming arena.

“There is a noticeable void of an esports space on campus,” said James Buckley, UT director of facilities and operations with University Unions.

Buckley said that soon could change, however, as they are looking to remodel parts of the Union Underground — and an esports arena could be part of those plans.

“We envision 24 to 30 stations where players can compete and we will have a place people can watch,” Buckley said.

Some universities offer esports scholarships and even though the University of Texas does not, Buckley told KXAN that they could eventually offer esports scholarships at some point.

Buckley says they have about 3,100-3,500 square feet on campus that they could potentially develop for esports and an arena could be finished at the end of next year.

So, what do you think? Should the University of Texas build an esports arena? Let us know on Facebook or chat with us on our station app.