Cedar Fair has announced the opening date of its new esports facility for competitive gamers at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio.
Launching on 6 October, the new gaming venue will initially cover an area of more than 1,000 square feet within the existing Cedar Point Sports Center.
The first phase of the attraction includes 32 state-of-the-art gaming stations, all equipped with the latest hardware and peripherals.
Richard Zimmerman, Cedar Fair‘s president and chief executive officer, said the company is focused on “delivering immersive entertainment experiences that differentiate our parks and make our guests want to come back again and again”.
Competitive gaming at theme parks
“The opening of Cedar Point Esports marks a significant step for us as we diversify our offerings and engage with a broader audience,” he added.
“Given the booming popularity of esports, we are excited about this opportunity to tap into the growing appetite for that form of entertainment and package it with all that Cedar Point has to offer.”
Cedar Point has partnered with North Coast Entertainment on the esports facility. The company will organise leagues, camps and clinics to guide and support esports players.
“Together, we aim to bring innovative gaming experiences to the players and fans,” said Scott Norcross, president of North Coast Entertainment.
“This facility will not only serve as a competitive battleground for esports athletes, but also as a nurturing ground for anyone interested in gaming.”
Cedar Point Esports aims to be the leading location for high school and college gaming events in the region. Through collaborations with educational institutions, the venue plans to host regular tournaments for students.
Via a previous a statement from Cedar Fair, global revenue from competitive gaming was estimated at close to $1.4 billion in 2022. Esports has an approximate audience of more than 530 million people across the globe.
Images courtesy of Cedar Fair
