Southeast Asia’s Largest Esports Facility Launched in Malaysia

Malaysian company Esports Business Network (EBN) today launched Esports City, a full-service esports facility that is said to be the largest not only in the country but also in Southeast Asia. Located in Quill City Mall in Kuala Lumpur, the sprawling 65,000-square-foot venue aims to be the go-to destination for local, regional, and international esports events.

“Our company’s mission is to continue to open doors for brands to enter the world of esports and gaming and to develop a future-proof ecosystem for the community. Having been part of the fast-growing esports industry for close to two decades, we believe it is opportune to expand our offering and introduce a fresh concept to the market for both brands and communities. The launch of the EBN Esports City marks the first phase of our exciting plans,” said EBN Group Chief Executive Officer Adrian Gaffor.

He said while 2020 had been a test of resilience following the effects of the pandemic, esports experienced tremendous growth and accomplished outstanding milestones.

“We are poised to ride this wave of opportunity for the Southeast Asia region.”

Developed at a cost of RM4,000,000 (US$983,768), Esports City features a production area for top-tier tournaments, a standalone casting area, streaming rooms, three full green-screen studios, an esports stadium that can seat 1,000 people, two event halls, a function hall, recording studios, a food and beverage area, and an esports cafe with high-performance PCs as well as gaming consoles and racing simulators.

So, what else can we expect from Esports City in 2021? According to Gaffor, EBN is gearing up to host several major tournaments at Esports City and is in talks with notable game publishers. He also said EBN is in talks with the Malaysian Esports Election Committee to establish Esports City as one of the sporting venues the next time Malaysia hosts the SEA Games.

Gaffor also announced that Riot Games have partnered with EBN to set the stage for several top-tier Valorant tournaments in Malaysia and Singapore, including the Riot Games Collegiate Tournament, the Valorant Challenger Series, Valorant First Strike: tournaments, and the Valorant Champions Tour.

Meanwhile, the Corporate League (an esports tournament for corporations) will be broadcast from Esports City. There will be other big-name tournaments happening throughout 2021, which will be announced in time.

Gaffor said Esports City’s plans and growth are in line with Malaysia’s National Esports Blueprint, which was co-drafted by EBN Executive Chairman Frank Ng.

“The Strategic Plan for Esports Development (2020-2025) launched by the Ministry of Youth and Sports Malaysia will be what the company will be using to grow,” said Gaffor, adding that EBN plans on building a gaming ecosystem that serves both consumers and brands.

The company is also looking to expand to other states and cities in Malaysia before launching in other parts of Southeast Asia.