Guangzhou’s first esports centre opens soon

Guangzhou’s first esports centre is set to open in the Baiyun district in mid-August. 

In a statement yesterday, the media wing of the local government (Guangzhou Baiyun Fabu) noted that the Guangzhou International Esports Centre would be the first theatre-grade esports facility in China, with a building area of around 4,000 square metres, as well as a site area of approximately 8,000 square metres. 

Official information from last year indicates that the building has a total of five storeys. Floors one and two are esports-themed commercial areas, while floors three to five are designated as spaces for esports competitions and events. 

According to the latest statement, Guangzhou’s first esports centre has a studio production centre with a ceiling height of 14 metres. Meanwhile, there are 650 professional viewing seats arranged on staggered, elevated platforms that ensure audience members have a constant view of the competition regardless of where they are seated. 

Another highlight of the facility is its theatre-grade acoustics system, which allows spectators to clearly hear minute sounds such as the footsteps of a game character from a specific direction. 

Guangzhou’s first esports centre: other uses and design

Although the venue has been designed for esports, it is also being positioned to accommodate other types of events such as performances, product launches and dance parties. The authorities noted that the venue can be seamlessly adapted to different uses thanks to its flexible sound design and comprehensive live broadcast area. 

In addition to competitions and performances, there are plans to develop the esports centre into a space where young people can socialise and entertain themselves. Operators are looking to set up restaurants and businesses connected to trendy toys, comics, anime and video games. 

The exterior of Guangzhou’s first esports centre has meanwhile been designed to evoke the idea of a digitalised version of Baiyun Mountain and the Pearl River. The facade features perforated aluminium panels and light projections, giving it a futuristic and simplified look that blends with the wider cityscape. 

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Currently, the facility is in its last stages of development, with work being carried out on the building’s facade, interior space and equipment. Other preparatory work such as sound testing, operational tuning and refinements to the building are taking place as well. 

The opening of the Guangzhou International Esports Centre coincides with Guangzhou’s emergence as one of China’s major cities for video gaming. 

A report published by the Guangzhou Games Industry Association earlier this year revealed that the city’s video gaming sector was ranked first nationally in terms of capacity in 2025, earning a revenue of 153.24 billion yuan. As well, the provincial capital accounted for 42.8 percent of the national video game market share last year.