British Esports Federation launches community support programme to help promote UK esports scene

Four events to be supported annually by the Federation with access to facilities – including the newly opened British Arena – and British Esports staff. 

The national federation for esports in the UK is opening up its new space in Sunderland for UK esports organisations, tournament organisers and other groups to host their events.

The first of the four available events will be a special EPIC.LAN community event, taking place in 2027, with more details to be announced at a later date.

British Esports is encouraging parties to pitch their ideas and explain why theirs should be one of the remaining three events.

You might have an idea to host a LAN tournament there, a watch party, community gathering, awards show, launch event or other event regarding an esports or video games project, for example. It might be certain games that are growing, niche areas that need more recognition, or a wider initiative you’re looking to run.

The news comes as British Esports and Ukie joined a panel at EPIC49 today (October 30th 2026) to discuss what’s going on at a national and Government level within esports and how the community can be a part of that.

Dave Martin, Senior Vice President at British Esports, who joined the panel, said: “We’re so pleased to have finally opened our doors at the British Arena. We feel this is a great way to say to the UK esports communities that we’re here, we have this premises, and we want to help you.

“We’re looking for communities that have interesting gaming projects. So if you have an event you want to put on, we’d be delighted to help facilitate that. Please send in your pitches via the email below and we look forward to hearing from you.”

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About the British Arena

The brand new 15,000 sq.ft British Arena in Sunderland is located opposite the Stadium of Light, the home of Premier League football team AFC Sunderland.

It’s a multi-use venue able to host esports events, live music events, comedy nights, private bookings, broadcasts, games industry events, sports events, premier match day experiences, conferences and lots more.

The British Arena is equipped with a 200-seat / 400-standing main stage theatre, boasting a 17m LED screen, full 5G capability, broadcast, content and editing studios, retail and hospitality, performance rooms and an expansive 550 sq.m secure outdoor activation space, with a private 2,000 sq.m car park.

There’s also a lounge and bar space which has capacity for 350 standing guests, including an arcade zone.

The venue sits alongside the existing National Esports Performance Campus facilities and The Place accommodation located in Sunniside, the heart of Sunderland.

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How to pitch your UK esports event to the British Arena

Simply send us an email with a few paragraphs explaining:

• The type of event you’d like to run at the British Arena
• Why you’d like to do it
• How it will help the UK esports ecosystem grow

You can send your entries to info@britishesports.org. We look forward to reading them. Good luck!