GAMERS are set to make their way to Solihull’s Resorts World Arena next month for an international esports tournament.
ESL One Birmingham 2024 will see professional video game players compete in organised, multiplayer tournaments, usually for a share of prize money and coveted title between April 26 and 28.
The Dota 2 esports tournament is heading to the borough thanks to a successful bid for Commonwealth Games legacy funding by Solihull Council, in partnership with the NEC Group.
Hosted by the ESL FACEIT Group, the world-leading esports and video game entertainment company, twelve international teams will battle it out in Resorts World Arena to win money from a $1million (£780,800) prize pool.
This event will mark ESL One’s highly anticipated return to the West Midlands – their last Dota 2 event in the region, ESL One Birmingham 2019, was hosted at the Utilita Arena Birmingham and drew a footfall of more than 24,000 fans.
The esports company also presented the Apex Legends™ Global Series Championship at Resorts World Arena last year through its subsidiary, Esports Engine.
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and the UK Government is supporting the organisers of the event with £145,000 of funding from the £70million Commonwealth Games underspend which is being reinvested back into the region, boosting trade and tourism sectors and bringing vital footfall to local businesses.
Councillor Wazma Qais, cabinet member for Communities and Leisure, said: “It is important that Solihull is at the forefront of this dynamic and exciting new competitive sport as an estimated 22,000 predominantly young people will visit during this tournament.
“This event not only will bring in thousands of people to our borough, but it will also give a welcome boost to local businesses, provide valuable jobs and volunteering opportunities for local people, and supporting our hospitality and retail sectors.”
Guy Dunstan, managing director for NEC Group Arenas, said: “We’re incredibly proud to host exciting new genres of shows, such as Esports, at Resorts World Arena.
“It’s brilliant to see the legacy of the Commonwealth Games continuing to benefit the region and we look forward to welcoming the players and fans to Solihull!”
