One of the world’s biggest esports events, set to be watched by thousands in the O2 Arena this weekend, is expected to generate a £12m boost for London’s economy.
Tickets for the League of Legends World Championship finals on Saturday, November 1, sold out within minutes - and millions more are expected to watch online.
Based on the multiplayer online battle arena game, the World Championships have grown to become one of the most anticipated annual esports events - with last year’s final held in Seoul, South Korea.
It is the latest major esports event that London has hosted, after welcoming the League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational to the Copper Box Arena in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park last year.
The estimated £12m direct economic boost brought by the event was calculated by London & Partners - the capital’s business growth agency, supported by City Hall. The estimate excludes the potential impact from people re-visiting in the future and from people inspired to visit London by watching the event online.
Mayor Sadiq Khan said he was “delighted” to see London hosting the finals, as it shows the UK capital is “a leading destination for sports and esports”.
He added: “Gaming is a hugely exciting and fast growing industry, and I will continue to do all I can to support its development and growth in the capital, as we build a better London for everyone.”
Saturday’s final will be the largest esports event ever to take place in the UK. It comes as Mr Khan seeks to promote London as a world leader in the games industry - and specifically in esports, which his team points out is “a growing market offering huge potential for London’s businesses and communities”.
The city is already home to the largest group of games studios in Europe, and the UK’s only Games Production Finance Market, which brings in new investment to help games businesses grow.
City Hall said it has also commissioned Arena Consultancy to conduct a new piece of research to gain “a deeper understanding of what more London needs to do to become a global centre for esports”.
Ailsa Buck, head of major events and city experience at London & Partners, said the excitement ahead of Saturday’s event “is electric and we can’t wait for fans to have an unforgettable experience in the capital”.
She added: “Tickets flew off the shelves in minutes. That tells us there’s a huge demand for more esports in the city. We’re ready to make this day special for everyone.”
