Ireland’s newly opened National Esports Centre has hosted players in an FC tournament and announced several partnerships.
The 8,000 square foot centre is based in Cork City and has been created in conjunction with esports organisation Wylde, federation Ireland Esports and game developer Void Interactive.
Update: The Irish Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, has officially opened the Wylde HQ.
The centre has a sim racing lounge, an education college, content studio and a bootcamp facility, alongside the Wylde Academy powered by Virgin Media Ireland.
Creators say its purpose is ‘to empower, educate and entertain through inclusive, responsible and professional standards’.
Partners include Noblechairs, AOC, Pearson, Logitech and Williams Esports.
The centre joins other facilities in the UK and Ireland, including England’s National Esports Performance Campus, opened by British Esports in Sunderland a few years ago.
Steve Daly, Co-Founder and CEO at Wylde, said: “This is an important milestone for gaming and esports across Ireland: the unleashing of a National Esports Centre.
“The NEC project has been several months, if not years, in the making, and has seen an idea become a reality. A blank canvas has been transformed into a dynamic space capable of showcasing, creating, empowering and exciting this island. The facility will drive limitless possibilities through technology, community, talent and sheer determination.
“I urge you to follow the National Esports Centre LinkedIn account, contact the team in place, and visit Cork City to appreciate how entertainment, education, and performance will be shaped in the future.”
The most recently announced partnership for Ireland’s National Esports Centre is with Williams Esports, which will include a focus on health and wellbeing, coaching, STEM skills, teamwork and education.
Wylde and National Esports Centre Co-Founder David Cronin also recently became a minority shareholder in Cork City FC.
National Esports Centre hosts players starring in EFAI Cup
The centre hosted two players competing in the EFAI Cup powered by Virgin Media earlier this month, an FC 25 single elimination tournament.
The NEC held an activation where two Wylde players, JP Sleator and Mr WeLLy, competed from the NEC. The centre We facilitated coverage of their matches on the night to test its infrastructure and demonstrate its broadcast capabilities in a live setting.
50 of Ireland’s best FC players competed, with Wylde WeLLy winning. He said below:
Ireland Esports added: “Congratulations to WeLLy for being crowned EFAI 2025 champion. Ciaran continues to be such a super ambassador for Irish esports.
“It is also fantastic to see FA Ireland and Virgin Media Ireland continuing to support esports and gaming across Ireland. Thank you!”
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.
