League of Legends event helps Raleigh's rep as esports hotspot
North Carolina officials, from lawmakers to arena operators to tourism leaders, have tried to make the state a leader in esports and video gaming events.
It just may be working.
Raleigh's PNC Arena will host the North American League of Legends spring finals this weekend, an event expected to draw about 8,000 spectators to the arena better known for hockey and college basketball. League of Legends is a "a team-based strategy game where two teams of five powerful champions face off to destroy the other's base," according to its website.
It is the second major esports event for PNC, which hosted the Apex Legends Global Series Year 2 Championship in July.
"It’s beginning to really establish Raleigh as an esports center,” said Jeff Merritt, the executive director of the Centennial Authority, which owns PNC Arena.
Lawmakers approved $10 million in grants for esports event organizers in the state's two-year budget that expires in June. This weekend's event is the fourth to receive approval for funding from the grant program, according to the North Carolina Department of Commerce.
- Fortnight 2022 Invitational Tournament, held November 12 and 13th at the Raleigh Convention Center (potential state grant of $1,437,500)
- Call of Duty, held December 15-18 at the Raleigh Convention Center ($271,000)
- HCS Kickoff Major Charlotte 2023, held February 24-26 at the Charlotte Convention Center ($203,882)
- North American League of Legends Championship, April 8-9 at the PNC Arena ($400,000)
None of the events have submitted the required after-event audit to confirm in-state spending to receive the grant money. Event organizers have two years to do so. Any money that is not spent from the grant pool remains with the Department of Commerce and is available for subsequent use for the program, said David Rhoades, the department's communications director.
“Raleigh has established itself as an international hub for esports and gaming,” said Raul Fernandez, head of Americas Esports at Riot Games, in announcing this weekend's event.
Rep. Jason Saine, a Lincoln County Republican and top budget writer, pushed for inclusion of the esports money in the last budget. The House's two-year proposed budget that would begin July 1 includes several line items for esports projects.
There is $9.9 million to form the UNC-Greensoro Scholastic Esports Alliance, a statewide esports league for middle school and high school students; $1.5 million for an Esports Performance & Activities Center at UNC-Charlotte; and $500,000 to support esports programming at UNC-Charlotte.
Esports are usually multiplayer video games played competitively, largely by professionals who have their own teams, sponsors and specialties. The League Championship Series is a playoff event. Esports is expected to be a $2 billion market in 2023, according analysts.
Two-day passes for the event at PNC Arena start at $55, but single day passes are available. Pre-paid parking is $22, and doors open at 2 p.m. each day.
It's the latest high-profile event for Raleigh and Wake County, which is having its best year ever for tourism tax collections from hotel and motel occupancy tax and a tax on prepared food and beverage. The NHL Stadium Series game at Carter-Finley Stadium and the Dreamville music festival were big successes in filling local hotel rooms.
"In tourism tax collections in February, we posted out best February on record," said Denny Edwards, the president of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau.
