So, Esports is getting a new home in Singapore, and it’s called The Gym! It’s a first of its kind in Asia, a 24-hour co-working space, dedicated solely to esports. The Gym opened in Jalan Besar on February 13th, and it could change the way esports is viewed Southeast Asia, if not the world.

This is hot on the heels of the success esports has already had in the region, with the Dota 2 Singapore World Pro Invitational, and the formation of the Global Esports Federation (GEF), also headquartered in Singapore. It sounds like the area is becoming quite the esports destination!

A Billion-Dollar Industry

What a clever name for an esports area too, The Gym. This three-story venue is a 7,700 square ft. building, that will serve as a point of call for promising esports teams, and will hopefully foster collaboration between local and international teams. It should help them share resources and level up together. That’s what we all want, right?

The Gym has the industry-leading tech needed, and two floors worth of versatile co-working and event space, and aims to redefine as well as empower Asia’s esports ecosystem and communities. That’s one of the great things I like to see: helping a community build and grow. Not just “one team becoming the best”, but everyone being able to grow together.

After all, Esports is worth over a billion dollars, and it’s said to triple in value by 2025 (which is an unreal amount of money for video games). This building was designed and managed by audio-visual and events manager NEO.™, and their founder, Mr. Neo Yong Aik had this to say:

“With esports making its debut at last year’s SEA Games, there is little doubt that esports has become mainstream in this part of the world. There has never been a more powerful platform to engage the youth of Asia and the world.”

“But while there are millions of young people playing on their mobile phones and PCs, what is lacking is a more professional approach to the sport.

“Instead of more LAN shops, we need more places that not only provide a place for individuals and teams to practise and compete, but also for them to pick up the right habits that will stay with them as they pursue successful esports careers.

“Instead of focusing on just gaming, other aspects such as nutrition, physical fitness and mental focus should also be honed.

“We hope to bring all that with The Gym.”

That is certainly a bold statement, and we’re glad to see it. LAN shops are neat, but they’re ultimately just in it to make as much money as they possibly can. The Gym seems to be designed to help esports grow in their community. Will it make money? I’m 100% sure that it will. But helping esports grow will benefit them, as well as others.

Partnerships, World-Wide:

The Gym is also partnering with De Tune, a United States-based esports broadcaster. De Tune has worked with the likes of Riot Games and organized global events for Fortnite and PUBG, so you know they have the skills to pay the bills. De Tune will be working with The Gym to bring competitions in Asia to life, hopefully to a much larger audience.

De Tune founder and CEO Mr Michael Thuney said: “We are thrilled to be part of this exciting journey that we believe, will pave the way for professional esports set-ups to thrive in Singapore, and other parts of Asia. We share in Neo’s vision to grow the industry in the right way and level-up the esports offerings in the region.”

There is so much awesome esports going on in Southeast Asia right now. It’s a scene that’s blossoming in some huge ways, and we’ve covered it here before. We’d like to see the Southeast Asian esports scene be shown off to the world, and perhaps in a variety of languages.

But what is in The Gym?

An Esports Gym? Sort of:

The GYm is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your esports needs (if you’re in Singapore). The first floor has retail opportunities and a cozy, arena-style event space that can seat up to 150 people, with a booth for casters on top of that. That is a lot of screaming, hyped fans, and room to cast to boot.

The second and third floors have a configurable training, office, and event space, which members can rent. They can use it to conduct business, live-stream sessions, and competitions. Whether you’re a gaming influencer or a corporate specialist, there’s a lot you can do with this kind of space.

The Gym should hopefully be a precedent-setting place of business for esports, not just in Southeast Asia, but the world over. The Gym is also aiming to create an esports league, consisting of Gyms in different countries, to strengthen and grow communities the world over.

This could definitely help struggling esports systems develop new talent, and show off in exciting tournaments across a variety of games.

Said Mr. Yip Ren Kai, co-founder and managing director of Reddentes Sports, which counts Redd+E as its esports arm: “The Gym’s opening comes at an opportune time for esports in the region. With the setting up of the Global Esports Federation, the esports ecosystem is in need for more collaborative platforms like The Gym to help budding teams and support the industry.

“I am personally excited to see how Reddentes Sports or Redd+E can work with them in the near future.”

It sounds like things are really looking up for esports teams and fans.