A brand new multi-purpose arena is being proposed for Dundee, which could play host to major esports events in the future.
The arena could be built next to Slessor Gardens at Dundee’s billion-pound waterfront, near V&A Dundee adjacent to the Tay Road Bridge.
Northern Lights Arena Europe Limited (NLAE) has announced an 18-month exclusivity agreement with Dundee City Council, allowing the company to progress initial design concepts, strategic advice and expertise.
The arena could provide educational and employment opportunities for Dundee, giving Scotland’s digital economy a boost.
The planned future arena would host 4,000 seats, an esports academy for further and higher education, as well as indoor sporting events, retail and workspace areas.
NLAE is working on the project with Abertay University, Dundee & Angus College and Nottingham Trent University’s creative technology faculty, Confetti.
Abertay intends to develop a new range of degree courses related to the global esports job market, with students gaining access to facilities within the arena complex. Abertay’s local college partner, Dundee & Angus College, would also ensure young people across the region have the opportunity to get involved.
The arena and academic campus’ facilities and technical infrastructure will be designed with Nottingham Trent University.
“We are delighted to be involved in this development for Dundee, which has the potential to make a significant contribution to the future development of Scotland’s digital economy.”
Professor Gregor White, Abertay University
Technology partners include Amazon Web Services,and low-carbon energy provider Vital Energi.
Chris Turner, NLAE CEO, said:”We are delighted to be able to announce Dundee as the first of several multi-million-pound projects that the NLAE team is working on. We have been impressed with the forward-looking approach of Dundee City Council and their ambition to have a world class public space at the heart of Dundee.”
Mark Flynn, convener of Dundee City Council’s city development committee, added: “Agreeing an exclusivity arrangement with NLAE is the best way forward to allow what is an exciting and potentially winning development the time and space needed to undertake feasibility studies and advance outline proposals.
“As a thriving and recognised cradle for games development, I can think of no better place for such a complex to be.”
Professor Gregor White, Dean of Abertay University’s School of Design and Informatics, said: “We are delighted to be involved in bringing forward this exciting partnership-led development for Dundee, which has the potential to make a significant contribution to the future development of Scotland’s digital economy.”
Simon Hewitt, Principal of Dundee & Angus College, commented: “This is an amazing opportunity for the city and the wider region to build on the fantastic educational partnerships and experiences we already provide within the creative sector.
“Dundee & Angus College are proud to be a partner in this exciting and innovative project that will create more opportunities to develop new and existing skills to support the growth of Scotland’s digital economy.”
Dom is an award-winning writer and finalist of the Esports Journalist of the Year 2023 award. He graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
As a long-time gamer having first picked up the NES controller in the late ’80s, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV and others. He worked as head of content for the British Esports Federation up until February 2021, when he stepped back to work full-time on Esports News UK and offer esports consultancy and freelance services. Note: Dom still produces the British Esports newsletter on a freelance basis, so our coverage of British Esports is always kept simple – usually just covering the occasional press release – because of this conflict of interest.
