Sep 3rd, 2019

Sep 3rd, 2019

Biggest Esports arena in Southern Hemisphere arriving in Melbourne

Australia will become home to the biggest competitive gaming venue in the Southern Hemisphere when a new facility opens in Melbourne, complete with a 200-seat arena, a restaurant and two bars.

Fortress Melbourne will open in early 2020 and feature 160 gaming PCs, console gaming suites, dedicated streamer pods, a RPG and tabletop game play area, function rooms, a full service restaurant, two bars, and a 200 seat purpose-built esports arena.

It will be located in the Emporium Melbourne shopping centre in the CBD.

Artist impression for Fortress Melbourne (Fortress Esports)

"Melbourne has become the epicentre for video gaming and esports culture with major events like Melbourne Esports Open and PAX Australia, so we're excited to be opening our first flagship venue in Melbourne and offer Australians a unique entertainment space that they can enjoy all year round," said Jon Satterley, Fortress Esports' chief executive.

Carolyn Viney, the chief development officer at Vicinity Centres which co-own Emporium, said the esports venue would "offer a one-of-a-kind Australian gaming and entertainment experience".

"We are always looking at new, unique experiences to offer our customers and with the global phenomenon of esports rapidly gaining fans in Australia, Emporium Melbourne's city location makes it the obvious choice for an esports arena and gaming venue that will cater to all audiences," she said.



"This exciting first for entertainment venues reflects Melbourne's standing as the cultural and events capital of Australia and cements Emporium Melbourne as a market-leading retail, dining and entertainment destination in the CBD."