Glytch to Open 32 Esports Stadiums Across North America by 2032, First Four by 2025

Glytch, a professional esports stadium company, has announced an ambitious plan to construct 32 state-of-the-art esports stadiums across North America over the next eight years. The first four venues are slated to open in Los Angeles, Atlanta, Bellevue, and Chicago by 2025, marking a significant expansion in dedicated esports infrastructure. This initiative aims to establish a network of large-scale, multi-purpose entertainment facilities for the rapidly growing esports industry.

The company has partnered with Populous, a global design firm renowned for its work on major sports and entertainment venues, as the design architect for the project. Brian Mirakian, Senior Principal and Global Esports Director at Populous, emphasized the need for a "critical mass of stadiums and teams distributed regionally" to support the evolving esports landscape. Glytch's vision includes equipping these venues with consistent broadcasting platforms, diverse food and beverage options, and upscale fan amenities.

Each stadium is designed to seat between 1,500 and 3,000 people and will serve as the official home base for a professional esports team. Beyond competitive gaming, the flexible design of these high-tech performance venues will also accommodate a variety of live events, including music concerts and comedy shows. Glytch COO Gerome Seeney expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration, stating, "Populous is one of the greatest architectural firms in the world and the first to declare itself as experts in designing esports stadiums."

Further solidifying its position in the esports ecosystem, Glytch announced a partnership with esports and gaming organization XSET in June 2023. While financial terms were not disclosed, the one-year agreement includes Glytch logo placement on XSET team jerseys and social media, alongside collaborative content creation. This partnership underscores Glytch's commitment to integrating with established esports entities as it builds out its physical presence.

Glytch, founded in 2018, aims to combine esports with location-based entertainment, broadcasting, and upscale hospitality. The company's strategy involves creating immersive gaming environments that cater to both professional teams and a broad fan base, contributing to the professionalization and mainstream appeal of competitive gaming. The multi-year development plan signals a long-term investment in the future of esports infrastructure.