Glytch, a Southern California-based esports company, announced this week that it plans to build a 2,000-seat gaming arena in Columbus, expected to be the largest of a growing number of central Ohio esport venues.

The 100,000-square-foot facility will include an esports "stadium," an entertainment venue and a broadcasting studio, according to the company. With a large theater-type design, the venue also will host concerts and other events, according to the company, founded two years ago.

Glytch did not say where the facility would be built.

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The arena is part of Glytch's plan to build 32 esports facilities throughout the U.S. and Canada in the next seven years. Columbus is scheduled to be the second Glytch stadium, following one in Los Angeles.

“Ohio has a booming esports fan base, and we are proud to be serving the Buckeye State with a true, professional esports stadium," Michael Williams, the chief visionary officer for Glytch and former CEO of GameWorks said in a news release.

"We firmly believe this is the next step in esports. Instead of hosting every major esports league and all the teams in Los Angeles, we believe in regional stadiums with local teams. We want everyone across the country to enjoy what this phenomenon has to offer.”

Glytch's announcement comes a year after Belong Gaming opened a 12,000-square-foot esports arena in the Polaris area. Central Ohio is also home to an Esports Arena at Ohio State University, and GameArenas in Hilliard and the campus district.

Glytch said its 32 venues, including the one in Columbus, "will be the official home of an internationally recognized, professional esports team, but (will be) also versatile enough to host concerts, comedy, town halls, and TED Talks."

The centers will include virtual-reality experiences, food, beverages and broadcast centers.

Glytch said it plans to develop the Columbus venue with three partners: The Buckeye Group business consultancy, Populous architectural firm and Scenario fabrication company.

“As a huge Ohio fan, it’s incredibly important to our state that we bring innovative companies like Glytch to provide an interactive and immersive experience for the gaming community,” said Billy Goldberg, CEO for the Buckeye Group, based in California. “It’s such a validation to Columbus to bring Glytch to our neighborhood.”

Glytch plans to break ground on the new venue in the spring and to open it in 2024 or 2025.

jweiker@dispatch.com

@JimWeiker

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Proposed 2,000-seat Columbus gaming arena to also host concerts