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Creative Swansea will host its first industry panel event in partnership with national body Esports Wales, which is celebrating the launch of the first esports local hub in South Wales.
The free event will take place at the relatively new XP Gaming Bar in Swansea city centre from 6pm on Thursday October 24th. It will see panellists from the world of content creation, game development and education, and offer insights into opportunities that exist within gaming and immersive technologies, whether as a developer, a competitor, streamer or content provider.
There will be an opportunity to network with likeminded people and seek knowledge from invited experts in creative technologies. There will also be music by Swansea-based hip-hop artist Craze the Jack and refreshments will be available.
The event is supported by Swansea Council and funded by UK Governments Shared prosperity fund. It comes after Creative Swansea’s launch in September 2024.
The networking event will bring together industry professionals, gamers and local businesses to celebrate and help further develop the growth of esports in Wales, offering a platform for collaboration and innovation.
Esports has made significant inroads into Swansea, Wales, reflecting the broader growth of competitive gaming worldwide, according to a press release from Esports Wales.
“As one of Wales’s largest cities and a hub of technological development, Swansea has embraced esports not only as a form of entertainment but as a burgeoning industry with economic and educational potential,” the press release stated.
Cllr Elliott King, Cabinet Member for Culture, Equality and Human Rights, said:
“We are excited to partner with Esports Wales for this event, which underscores Creative Swansea’s commitment to fostering innovation within the creative and digital industries.”
Cllr Elliot King,Cabinet Member for Culture, Equality and Human Rights
“Esports and immersive technologies are rapidly reshaping how we think about content creation, experiences, and collaboration.
“We are delighted Esports Wales has selected XP Gaming Bar and Swansea as their first Esports Wales local hub in South Wales and my thanks to Nerys Evans and Sarah Morgan for their invaluable work in bringing this event to life and helping us push Creative Swansea’s vision forward.
“I would encourage any local businesses or individuals who are keen to find out more, or get involved to contact them at the Council’s Cultural services as they are developing more and more events and network links every day.”
The news also comes after the first Welsh-language esports tournament took place, and Coleg Cambria Deeside opened a new £230,000 esports facility.
John Jackson from Esports Wales added: “Esports Wales is the national esports federation in Wales. Our mission is to foster a strong community, nurture talent, and provide opportunities for gamers of all ages to engage with the world of competitive gaming.
“Through the Welsh Esports League and the Esports Wales Academy, we aim to develop a sustainable and thriving esports ecosystem that encourages participation at all levels—from grassroots to professional play.
“Our vision extends beyond the online world, as we work to create ‘Esports Wales Locals’ across the country. These in-person events provide a space for players to connect, compete, and share their passion for gaming, all while supporting local businesses and fostering community engagement. By bringing gamers together we strive to bridge the gap between online and offline communities, promoting wellbeing and social interaction.”
Tickets can be booked at ticketsource.co.uk/creative-swansea-network
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.
