MLG Teams Up with China to build Mega E-Sports Arena

The MLG has decided to partner up with a couple of Chinese companies to build a 15,000 person E-Sports style Arena on Hengqin Island in China. The structure will be a first of its kind and is a part of the Lai Fung Creative Culture City. The project is estimated to be almost $2.8 billion in cost!

It is connected by bridge to both Macaus gambling hub as well as Hong Kong.

Lai Fung first approached AEA Consulting, a New York-based arts and culture firm to help with the project. According to Chew Fook Aun, Lai Fung's chairman;
 

We started with a blank sheet of paper, and we were looking for what would be the fastest-growing field in the world. The trends were with video gaming.

Indeed over 500 million people in China play video games, and nearly 145 million play more than an one hour daily, according to Eedar, a market research firm. Many also like to watch (YouTube streaming, etc) which is one reason this project has gained so much traction.

The President of MLG, Mike Sepso notes that the industry is missing its own version of the Madison Square Garden and it seems they are really wanting to find that place to call home.

The project in its entirity is expected to be completed sometime in 2017.

It will be quite interesting to see how this project turns out. Normally if it was in the United States I'd be a bit hestitant in it's potential but the Chinese seem to be on a bit of a different level than most U.S. gamers in terms of actually having the desire to go to a physical location to watch an event which is probably the main reason it wouldn't do as well here.

To read more on the project, click here.