A thunderous roar echoed through the Raleigh Convention Center on Friday as lights dimmed, music blared, and twelve elite esports teams from around the globe prepared to battle in ESL One Raleigh, which is a first North American Dota 2 tournament.
With $1 million in prize money on the line, the Triangle isn’t just hosting a tournament. It is also staking its claim as a serious player in the global esports arena.
Fans traveled from across the country, including New Yorker Meghan Coyle, who called the event “a big deal” for the North American esports community. “It’s the community,” she said.
“You go out and Oh my God, these people all play the same video game with me. You can only get that at a gaming tournament,” she said.
The enthusiasm is unmistakable, but Releigh’s role in esports is more than just momentary hype. Industry leaders and city officials believe it is part of a larger transformation that’s been years in the making.
“This was a big win; not just for Raleigh, but for the entire Triangle,” said Loren Gold, executive vice president of Visit Raleigh. “To bring a tournament of this caliber back to the U.S. shows how far our ecosystem has evolved.
This weekend’s ESL One tournament was previously hosted in locations like Singapore, Thailand, and the U.K. Beyond the professional gameplay, the event comes with interactive booths, cosplay contests, and chances to meet pro gamers.
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