Developer plans e-sports academy at new Dundee arena

Plans are under way for a 4,000-seat arena on the Dundee waterfront that will include a new academy for the burgeoning $1bn industry around competitive video game tournaments. Northern Lights Arena Europe – which describes its projects as “a little hush hush” on its website – has struck an 18-month exclusivity agreement with the city council over developing the site close to the Slessor Gardens park and V&A Dundee. As well as space for traditional leisure and indoor sporting events, the arena would include an e-sports academy for further and higher education. NLAE is working on the project with Abertay University, Europe’s top-ranked institution for video games education. The university plans to develop a new range of degree courses focused on the e-sports job market, claiming the industry generates $1bn a year globally. Mark Flynn, convener of Dundee City Council’s city development committee, said: “As a thriving and recognised cradle for games development, I can think of no better place for such a complex to be.” To send feedback, e-mail tim.burke@egi.co.uk or tweet @_tim_burke or @estatesgazette Picture courtesy of PR on behalf of NLAE