Jacksonville, Florida Mayor announces $3m investment to build esports arena

Donna Degan, the Mayor of Jacksonville, Florida, has announced plans to invest $3m (~£2.3m) into the creation of an esports centre based at the University of North Florida.

The Mayor hopes the creation of the facility will increase the number of students considering careers in STEM subjects.

Funding for the project will come from approximately $8m (~£6.1m) of funding that was left over from the 2023/24 fiscal year. In addition to the esports centre, the funding will be used for renovations to two fire stations.

The University of North Florida already has a facility used for gaming and esports initiatives. Known as the UNF Game Room, the facility features a range of game consoles and high-end PCs available for students to use.

Building the facility is subject to approval from the Jacksonville City Council. If the facility is approved, the Mayor’s office believes it will bolster the city’s economy alongside generating news on a national scale.

Dedicated esports facilities have continued to open their doors around the world as a means to host and operate events. In January 2025, English football club Charlton Athletic launched the Cyberlabs Gaming Box, a gaming and entertainment space inside its stadium.

Educational institutions are also expanding their campuses to open facilities, too. In November 2023, the Access Creative College opened a facility in London to expand its range of esports qualifications.

Alongside opening new facilities for its students, North America has an extensive collegiate esports infrastructure providing students with several opportunities to compete. Ranging from competitions in Rocket League to Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, some institutions also offer esports-focused scholarships, putting esports at the forefront of their offerings.

“We continue to make investments that create the greatest return for our citizens,” Mayor Deegan told FIRSTCOAST News. “UNF’s esports arena will help us build a next-generation workforce and position Jacksonville as a leader in the fastest growing sports genre nationally and globally.”