City College Plymouth and the Argyle Community Trust have announced the opening of the Babcock Esports Arena at The Hub in Plymouth.
The opening of the facility is a result of a partnership between the college and the charity owned by English football club, Plymouth Argyle.
Featuring 20 state-of-the-art gaming stations, the Babcock Esports Arena provides a range of educational and career development opportunities for students looking to embark on a career within the esports industry. In addition, the facility will also feature an esports academy.
A release says the facility aims to provide young people with the chance to ‘pursue pathways to international and Olympic-level esports competition’ alongside offering ‘recreational gaming’ for those in the local area.
Educational initiatives include support of esports BTEC qualifications that are approved by British Esports along with Level 1 and Level 2 Esports Leadership Awards. The Arena also plans to offer Level 4 and Level 5 courses in the future.
Alongside the partnership between City College Plymouth and the Argyle Community Trust, the Babcock Esports Arena was also supported by esports consultancy firm Strategic Esports Group and esports solutions company Yoyotech.
The UK has seen a trend of more dedicated gaming and esports facilities open up in recent months. In January, Charlton Athletic opened its Cyberlabs Gaming Box facility inside the Alan Curbishley Stand at The Valley. In June 2024, Manchester City also opened its in-stadium facility for its EA Sports FC and Fortnite players to practice, compete, and create content.
“The launch of the Argyle Community Trust and City College Plymouth Esports Academy marks the beginning of a new era for students passionate about gaming, technology, and digital innovation,” said Gareth Harries, Head of Education at Argyle Community Trust.
“Esports is more than just competitive gaming – it’s a global industry that demands teamwork, strategic thinking, and leadership. The Academy will equip students with the skills, knowledge, and qualifications needed to thrive in this dynamic sector, whether as professional players, content creators, event managers, or industry leaders.”
