The Netherlands is Getting Its First Proper Esports Arena

by Pavo Jurkic in General | Sep, 4th 2019

Even though esports events are racking in millions of viewers and those numbers seem to be on an exponential rise, there are still many European countries without proper esports facilities. Well, in 2020 there will be one fewer, with rumors spreading about The Netherlands esports arena coming sometime next year.

Sponsored by Rabobank and H20 eSports, The Netherlands esports arena will be called The Rabo Esports Stadium Amsterdam, and it’s supposed to become the very hub of esports industry in Holland. It won’t be just a conventional stadium. The Rabo Esports Stadium Amsterdam will be an entire campus, spreading out 10,000 square meters and potentially becoming the go-to place for the most significant European esports events.

Furthermore, even though The Netherlands esports arena hasn’t been built yet, there are already 75 events booked in 2020. Talk about pressure on the construction workers, huh?

Esports Viewership Continues to Grow

This news comes as no surprise, especially considering the massive growth of the esports industry in recent years. And we’re not just referring to the usual suspects like League of Legends, CS:GO, and Dota 2, but a handful of promising new names such as Overwatch, Fortnite, Super Smash Bros and Call of Duty.

To put things into perspective, the recent Fortnite World Cup gathered more than 80 million hours of watch time. Dota 2 The International and LoL Worlds accumulated similar numbers, further establishing esports as an exponentially growing industry and pushing it closer and closer to conventional sports.

That’s also boosted by the fact that several esports are turning their leagues into franchise systems based in various cities spread across the world. The two best examples are Overwatch and Call of Duty, but rumor has it more will follow soon.

With all that in mind, The Netherlands esports arena is an entirely logical move. Not only will it boost Holland’s esports presence but will also play a vital role in the future of esports and the ever-growing need for esports facilities. It will also be for teams who demand their own stadiums, just like their traditional-sports counterparts.

Let’s hope the construction meets the 2020 deadlines, and we see some class-A esports action at the brand-new Rabo Esports Stadium Amsterdam!