Dubai Media Office said it was intended to tap into the $99.6bn global video game industry and a growing esport scene expected to be worth $1.5bn by 2020.
Dubai Media Office and free zone operator TECOM Group have announced plans for the Middle Easts first esports stadium. The announcement was made on the Dubai Media Office’s Twitter page via video.
The facility, part of the governments 10X initiative, is intended to position Dubai as a global hub for hosting video gaming events.
The cost of the stadium was not revealed but Dubai Media Office said it was intended to tap into the $99.6bn global video game industry and a growing esport scene expected to be worth $1.5bn by 2020.
Commenting on the launch, Mona Al Marri, Director General, Dubai Media Office said: “We are living in a world where digital culture is reshaping all aspects of life, including sports. This has led us to develop the concept of Dubai X-Stadium, which will consolidate Dubai’s status as a key digital economy hub.”
An 18% of the entire Mena population are noted as gamers and industry experts forecast that by 2020 the eSports fan base will reach 600 million globally.
The 10X initiative aims to position Dubais government departments 10 years ahead of their global peers and contribute to the implementation of the vision of Dubai as a city of the future.
