Luxor's former LAX nightclub in Las Vegas is "just over two months away from becoming the Strip’s first permanent esports venue," when it officially reopens as Esports Arena Las Vegas on March 22 with a "series of events, including an invitation-only, multiday, live-streamed tournament," according to Nicole Raz of the LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL. The arena is a "result of a partnership" between esports venue network Allied Esports, gaming community hub and production company Esports Arena and MGM Resorts Int'l. Upon completion, the space, which spans 30,000 square feet, will "hold a 50-foot light-emitting diode video wall, telescopic seating, a production studio and food and beverage offerings." MGM Resorts President of Las Vegas properties Steven Zanellla said that the goal is to "build a rapport with video gamers to see how MGM can best serve them." Allied Esports and Esports Arena also "introduced a traveling arena Wednesday night, called Esport Arena Drive." The 80-foot, 18-wheel, 35-ton semitrailer "unfolds and turns into a a mini esports arena, with a competition stage, full production facilities, a caster studio, social media center and a VIP lounge." The semitrailer will "make its first stop in Feb. 18, for a multiday tournament during the Daytona 500" at Daytona Int'l Speedway (
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 1/12). In Las Vegas, Thomas Moore notes there is at least "one other location for esports on the Strip." In December, esports betting company Unikrn "announced it would begin organizing and hosting amateur esports tournaments at Level Up, an area at the MGM Grand geared toward millennials that features gambling and nongambling gaming machines." Unikrn execs said that they will "begin offering weekly tournaments at Level Up starting in February" (
LAS VEGAS SUN, 1/12).
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