Plans for 4,000-seat digital arena to proceed in Dundee, UK

Plans for a 4,000-seat digital arena in Dundee’s revamped waterfront are to proceed, following an 18-month exclusivity agreement between venue developer Northern Lights Arena Europe (NLAE) and the Dundee City Council in Scotland, the UK.

This multi-purpose arena building in Dundee could offer educational, economic, entertainment and employment opportunities.

It would accomodate an e-sports academy for further and higher education, alongside conventional leisure, indoor sporting events, retail and workspace.

The digital arena is to be located near the V&A Dundee, adjacent to the Tay Road Bridge.

NLAE is working on the project along with Abertay University, Dundee & Angus College and Nottingham Trent University’s creative technology faculty, Confetti.

NLAE CEO Chris Turner  said: “We are delighted to be able to announce Dundee as the first of several multi-million-pound projects that the NLAE team is working on. We have been impressed with the forward-looking approach of Dundee City Council and their ambition to have a world-class public space at the heart of Dundee.

“NLAE is working with global technology partners, including Amazon Web Services, to provide unparalleled facilities and experiences. NLAE is working with Vital Energi to develop and deliver a low-carbon energy solution for all NLAE projects and other local customers in Dundee City Centre.”

As part of the project, Abertay University plans to develop new degree courses associated to the global e-sports job market, and students would gain access to bespoke facilities within the arena complex.

Advanced facilities and technical infrastructure for the arena and academic campus will be designed along with Nottingham Trent University’s Creative Technology faculty, Confetti.

Technology partners of the digital arena project include Amazon Web Services and low-carbon energy provider Vital Energi.