Creating the Expectations for an eSports Stadium

The rise in popularity of Esports took off during the pandemic, when more people stayed inside and sought other forms of entertainment. Senior Principal and Esports Director for the Americas with Populous Brian Mirakian talks with Game Changers host Katie Steinberg about the next generation of eSports facilities and the future of the market.

“The market has really rebounded in a really strong way,” said Mirakian, noting that while the pandemic caused traditional sports to stop, video game popularity only accelerated.

With Esports gaming remaining a constant throughout the pandemic, popular game styles like Battle Royale (think Fortnite) allowed different demographics to interact and engage with one another on new platforms.

“There’s a tremendous amount of growth that’s happening in many different sectors…there’s been more activity now than at any point really since we began to explore this as a market segment, going back seven, eight years,” said Mirakian.

Investment in Esports has really taken off. An Esports stadium was built in Arlington, Texas outfitted with all the necessary streaming technology but which also has multi-use ability to host Esport events and other capabilities, “You need to have a production studio environment to create the content. What that does, what that allows for is a lot of flexibility and hybridization, right? That allows you to have myriad different types of events that then you can broadcast out and reach virtual audiences as well,” explained Mirakian.

As a guest back in 2018 with Marketscale, Mirakian predicted smaller, more-close knitted venue types in the esports arena in retail-based areas, bringing ease of access to the community. While this has held true in some instances, there is also a large proliferation of Esport activities on higher education campuses, “There’s a lot of facility types now that are beginning to originate at the college level,” noted Mirakian.

On the other hand, Las Vegas will be home to a premier esports venue next year, “which will be home to all entertainment” at a much larger scale.

More Stories Like This:

Eric Dickerson Turns His Toughest Career Moments into Lessons for the Next Generation of Players

How College Athletic Departments Should Be Educating Their Athletes on NIL

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

Career
How to Build a Purpose-Driven Career in the Age of AI and Acceleration
October 9, 2025

In a world reshaped by AI, global connectivity, and relentless technological advancement, the pace of disruption has never been greater. Careers are being reinvented as industries transform, and individuals everywhere are being challenged to find meaning, adaptability, and creativity in their professional paths. According to Deloitte’s 2024 Gen Z and Millennial Survey, 86% of…

Read More
youth
Fashion, Identity, and Digital Life Collide: Why Brands Must Listen, Collaborate, and Co-Create With the Next Generation of Youth
October 8, 2025

As the lines blur between fashion, identity, and digital life, brands are racing to understand how today’s youth are reshaping culture and commerce. Pacsun’s new Youth Report 2025, produced in partnership with GlobalData, offers one of the most detailed portraits yet of Gen Z and Gen Alpha—two generations united by self-expression but divided by…

Read More
talent
Grow Your Own Talent: How McDonald’s and Skilltrade Are Building a Culture of Lifelong Learning
October 7, 2025

The world of work is changing faster than ever. Automation is reshaping jobs, new technologies are rewriting what “qualified” means, and a new generation of workers is redefining what they expect from employers. From fast food to healthcare, companies are realizing they can’t just hire talent — they have to build it. They’re starting to…

Read More
The Tesla Test-How AI is Changing How We Search Video
The Tesla Test: How AI is Changing How We Search Video
October 7, 2025

In this episode of Secured, Mike Monsive sits down once again with Idan Koren, EVP of Marketing at Verkada, to discuss how artificial intelligence is transforming the landscape of physical security, operational efficiency, and the broader business of technology. The conversation begins with Verkada’s groundbreaking integration of natural language search in video surveillance —…

Read More