Region of Waterloo set to support major eSports event

A major alternative sporting event that has an expected viewership of about 100 million people across the globe could be coming to Kitchener.

If Explore Waterloo Region’s bid to host the event is accepted, the Region of Waterloo plans to invest $200,000 from the Municipal Accommodation Tax Reserve fund to support hosting an eSports tournament.

The BLAST Rocket League North America Major could bring around 8,000 gamers to the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium in June, 2025.

eSports has quickly risen from a niche market to worldwide, mainstream attention in the span of a little over a decade.

According to documents from the Region of Waterloo, the organizers expect the economic impact of the event could be about $17.7 million, a big boom for local tourism, hotels, and restaurants.

“Bringing that diversity from across the world to reflect on and to participate in gaming, I think it’s really exciting for this region and something we’ll be able to celebrate as this develops,” said Regional Councilor Colleen James at a council meeting on Aug. 28.

Rocket League is the game that would be played at the tournament, which is basically soccer with rocket-powered cars.

Just in case you still think eSports is niche, the organizers expect 100 million people from around the world to tune in, which is equivalent to filling The Aud to capacity about 14 thousand times.