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# University of Suffolk bets on booming esports industry with £1.65m facility
- URL: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/university-of-suffolk-bets-on-booming-esports-industry-with-ps1-65m-facility/
- Published: 2025-04-03T06:27:04.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-16T15:16:12.000Z
- Description: As the global esports market continues to expand, the University of Suffolk is staking its claim with a £1.65 million purpose-built gaming facility to support its new degree programme.
- Author: Oliver Rouane-Williams
- Tags: News, Higher Education, #article, University of Suffolk, Concertus, #Import 2026-03-16 14:45

**Why it matters:** The £1.65 million renovation of a vacant Long Street building demonstrates a significant commitment to the growing esports industry, preparing students with industry-standard facilities ahead of the new BA (Hons) Esports course launching this September.

![Renders of the interior of the new eSports facility atthe University of Suffolk](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/1e/291e4b7f-e551-4458-b546-61963954b22f/content/images/2026/03/1743632686-esports-cgi-7.png)

Renders of the interior of the new eSports facility atthe University of Suffolk (Concertus)

![Renders of the interior of the new eSports facility atthe University of Suffolk](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/1e/291e4b7f-e551-4458-b546-61963954b22f/content/images/2026/03/1743632695-esports-cgi-18.png)

Renders of the interior of the new eSports facility atthe University of Suffolk (Concertus)

![Renders of the interior of the new eSports facility atthe University of Suffolk](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/1e/291e4b7f-e551-4458-b546-61963954b22f/content/images/2026/03/1743632704-esports-cgi-21.png)

Renders of the interior of the new eSports facility atthe University of Suffolk (Concertus)

**The details:** The state-of-the-art facility will feature:

- More than 40 gaming-spec PCs
- A professional-grade broadcast gallery
- A purpose-built live studio for broadcasting and livestreaming
- Combined teaching and recreational spaces

**What they're saying:** "We've already had lots of interest in our brand new Esports course launching this September, and the £1.65 million facility will be a real draw for students to join our programme," said Charlie Smith, Course Leader for BA (Hons) Esports.

**Beyond gaming:** The new course aims to equip students with broader business and technical skills, including:

- Managing live-streamed events
- Live and online broadcasting experience
- Digital marketing skills
- Creative digital media attributes
- Leadership and team dynamic capabilities

"These skills are really important for thriving in such a fast-paced and evolving industry, and by equipping our students with as broad a range of strengths as possible, our course will give students the best experience possible of thriving in the industry," Smith added.

![This premises on Long Street will become an eSports facility](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/1e/291e4b7f-e551-4458-b546-61963954b22f/content/images/2026/03/1743632640-uos-esports-centre-long-street-edited.png)

This premises on Long Street will become an eSports facility (University of Suffolk)

**Coming soon:** Work on the facility is being carried out by Concertus and is scheduled for completion in September, coinciding with the arrival of the first cohort of students.

**The bigger picture:** Students will have opportunities to:

- Compete in national and global tournaments
- Participate in online showpiece matches and charity events
- Manage their own esports team, which will be unveiled later this year

**The bottom line:** As the esports industry continues to grow globally, the University of Suffolk is making a substantial investment to establish Ipswich as a training ground for future gaming professionals.

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