New game plan: Edmonton aims to host big esports events

Edmonton aims to draw bigger esports events to the city and has pledged to work with groups and organizations pivotal to creating an attractive destination city for the burgeoning industry. 

City council is asking administration to help bring mid-size and large events to Edmonton, at the behest of Coun. Andrew Knack. 

So far, only smaller, local esports events have been held in the province. 

Knack, a huge fan of the video gaming industry, notes that esports in other cities and countries draw tens of thousands of players and spectators. 

"I think Edmonton has the capability of being the esports leader in this country, if not North America," Knack told council at a meeting Tuesday. 

With bigger events matching turnouts at tournaments like FIFA, the Stanley Cup, and the Grey Cup, Knack argues there are big economic benefits for Edmonton. 

The motion directs administration to review the Alberta Esports Strategy — released last November — for ways to leverage municipal support. 

The city's biggest contribution could be offering Rogers Place as a venue for future events. The city has access to the arena 28 days a year, and rarely uses it, city managers said. 

Earlier this year, the Alberta Esports Association hosted an expo, selling 3,500 tickets, the organization said. 

C.K. Dhaliwal, business development and academics manager with the Alberta Esports Association, said the expo was the biggest esports event to date.

"Let's get the organizations that will be directly impacted by the growth of this industry involved in these conversations," Dhaliwal said in an interview last week. 

Dhaliwal welcomes council's commitment to expanding the options.

"Seeing that at least one city is making the move for a commitment to help move