The Home of
British Esports

Where Gaming Legacies Are Forged.

Nestled in the vibrant city of Sunderland, the National Esports Performance Campus is the definitive home of British Esports, where innovation, passion and dedication create a haven for amateur esports enthusiasts and aspiring professionals alike.

Modern, state of the art offices and contemporary classrooms form the backbone of our dynamic teaching environments, fostering collaborative learning and innovation. Performance rooms serve as incubators for honing competitive gaming skills, featuring specialised training areas meticulously crafted to cultivate the essential expertise of aspiring esports athletes.

Luxurious on site residential accommodation provides a seamless blend of comfort, convenience and well being, alongside a dedicated 5G esports arena with retractable seating for 250 spectators and the very latest in AV and broadcast equipment, positioning the National Esports Performance Campus at the forefront of holistic technological esports innovation.

The Entrance to the Place at the National Esports Performance Campus

Nurturing Emerging Esports Talent

Immersive Training Grounds.  Elevating Esports Athletes.

More than just a venue, our campus is a state of the art hub designed to nurture the esports ecosystem throughout the United Kingdom. With outstanding training facilities and the very latest in computing technology, the National Esports Performance Campus sets the gold standard for esports performance.

Join the national esports teams as they gear up for international showdowns, immerse yourself in the thrill of competition alongside the UK’s finest amateur esports talent at the Student Champs, or seize the opportunity to connect and learn from industry leaders.

Whether you’re aiming for the global stage, seeking camaraderie within the gaming community, or striving to broaden your horizons in competitive gaming, there’s a place for every passion and ambition at the National Esports Performance Campus.

Welcome to the definitive home of British Esports.

Welcome to the National Esports Performance Campus.

Nurturing emerging esports talent at the National Esports Performance Campus

The
Place

Fueling Creativity. Connecting Minds.
Empowering Learning.

A cutting edge, dynamic hub for entrepreneurs, innovators, and esports enthusiasts, located in the heart of Sunderland.

A space where education, innovation and esports unite, to foster a thriving ecosystem for groundbreaking ideas to flourish.

Discover contemporary offices, modern classrooms, performance and training rooms, content creation and esports bootcamps at The Place.

Gaming
houses

Step into Gaming Luxury with On Site Accommodation.

Explore our fully managed, luxury on site accommodation, including three Grade II listed townhouses, fully refurbished and recently modernised.

Featuring open plan living spaces, kitchen and dining, dedicated gaming suites and performance rooms, all equipped with the very latest in gaming and esports technology.

Suitable for up to 27 guests, with 17 bedrooms, our luxurious residential housing is the perfect home away from home.

West Sunniside and the accommodation at the National Esports Performance Campus

Our
Campus

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GAMING HOUSES

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SPECTATORS

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SQ.FT. FOOTPRINT

The
Arena

The Ultimate Destination for Competitive Esports Tournaments.

A versatile esports and entertainment complex boasting 5G connectivity and dedicated esports stage with retractable seating for 250 spectators.

Featuring the very latest in AV and streaming equipment designed for tier 1 broadcasts and equipped with Alienware Aurora R15 gaming desktops, powered by NVIDIA® GeForce RTX® 4080 and Intel® Core™ i7 processors, The Arena is one of the largest dedicated esports facilities in the UK.

Proudly hosting the British Esports Student Champs LAN Finals, professional esports team bootcamps, national team training and thrilling international show matches, The Arena is a hub for competitive gaming and a top tier events venue.

Interested in hosting your event at the home of British Esports? Get in touch with our Sales and Events team today.

Opening Q1 2024. More Information Coming Soon.

National Esports Performance Campus Concept Render

“Sunderland is a hugely ambitious city and one that fully embraces the transformation power of digital to bring communities together, so it’s fitting that a sport that is built on digital and technology is investing so significantly here”

GRAEME MILLER

COUNCILLOR AND LEADER, SUNDERLAND CITY COUNCIL

Riverside and Sunderland Development 5G Esports Arena

BOOK PACKAGES

Explore a range of tailored packages and experiences available at the National Esports Performance Campus, designed to make your visit unforgettable.


Bespoke Experiences
Tailored For You

Create the perfect event at the National Esports Performance Campus.
Enjoy experiences tailored for you and your guests.


National Esports Performance Campus FAQ

Explore the questions we’re asked most frequently about the National Esports Performance Campus, the home of British Esports.

The National Esports Performance Campus is a multi site entertainment and education complex nestled in the vibrant city of Sunderland. It is also home to the British Esports Federation, the UK’s national esports body. The National Esports Performance Campus encompasses 45,000 sq.ft, spread over several locations and is designed to nurture the esports ecosystem throughout the United Kingdom, featuring; The Arena, a versatile esports and entertainment venue boasting; superfast 5G connectivity, a dedicated esports stage, retail space, broadcast studio with editing facilities, large indoor and outdoor event areas, bar, lounge and dining.  Dedicated seating for 200 spectators. (Opening Q1 2024) The Place, a cutting edge, dynamic hub for students, entrepreneurs, innovators, and esports enthusiasts, featuring contemporary offices, modern classrooms alongside esports performance and bootcamp rooms. The Gaming Houses, fully managed, luxury on site accommodation, including three Grade II listed townhouses, fully refurbished and recently modernised, accommodating up to 27 guests. Each house offers brand new kitchens, open plan living spaces and contemporary dining, 65” Ultra HD Widescreen TVs, a PlayStation 5, coupled with secure key card access control, all accessed by a private internal courtyard with 24 hour security. Boasting a dedicated, fully air conditioned Esports Performance Room in each house, with seven gaming stations per room, including Alienware Aurora R15 gaming desktops, powered by NVIDIA® GeForce RTX® 4080 and Intel® Core™ i7 processors. If you are interested in booking the facilities at the National Esports Performance Campus, please call +44 (0)191 500 7077 or get in touch with our Sales and Events Team who will be happy to discuss your requirements in greater detail.

If you’d like to book the facilities at the National Esports Performance Campus, please get in touch with our Sales and Events Team or call +44 (0)191 500 7077, and they will be happy to discuss the current booking rates and your requirements in greater detail.

The facilities at the National Esports Performance Campus cater to a wide spectrum of interests, from esports enthusiasts to educational institutions or friends looking for a simple getaway.

Whether you’re looking to host an educational event, organise a gaming night, or explore the immersive world of esports, our doors are open to all. 

If you’d like to book the facilities at the National Esports Performance Campus, please get in touch with our Sales and Events Team or call +44 (0)191 500 7077, and they will be happy to discuss your requirements in greater detail.

At the National Esports Performance Campus we’re able to offer luxurious residential on site accommodation for up to 27 guests.

Featuring three Grade II listed townhouses, composing 10,000 sq.ft, our on site accommodation features a range of single, double and twin bed options throughout 17 separate bedrooms.

We’re currently offering bookings for the entire house only, as individual rooms are not available for reservation at the moment.

  • Sapphire House can sleep up to 12 people in eight bedrooms.
  • Emerald House can sleep up to 8 people in five bedrooms.
  • Ruby House can sleep up to 7 people in four bedrooms.

Each house offers brand new kitchens, open plan living spaces and contemporary dining, 65” Ultra HD Widescreen TVs, a PlayStation 5, coupled with secure key card access control, all accessed by a private internal courtyard with 24 hour security.

Boasting a dedicated, fully air conditioned Esports Performance Room in each house, with seven gaming stations per room, including Alienware Aurora R15 gaming desktops, powered by NVIDIA® GeForce RTX® 4080 and Intel® Core™ i7 processors.

If you are interested in booking our luxurious on site accommodation for a simple getaway, or as part of a wider package, please get in touch with our Sales and Events Team or call +44 (0)191 500 7077, and they will be happy to discuss your requirements in greater detail.

Traveling to the National Esports Performance Campus from London by train is a straightforward journey.

Travelling by Train

Travelling to Sunderland from London by train is a straightforward journey. Starting at London King’s Cross Station, select a direct train for Sunderland on Northern Rail. The journey from London to Sunderland typically takes around 3.5 hours and departs regularly.

Upon arriving at Sunderland Railway Station, The Place and The Gaming Houses are less than a five minute walk. The address is The Place, Athenaeum Street, Sunderland, SR1 1QX (entrance is on the corner of Foyle Street).

In addition there are regular trains from most of the country to Newcastle and the Nexus Tyne and Wear Metro provides a service between Newcastle upon Tyne to Sunderland every twenty minutes.

Another option by train is Durham – which is about a 30 minute drive to Sunderland.

Travelling by Plane

The nearest airport is Newcastle International Airport.

We encourage all visitors to consider using public transport when visiting our campus.

We operate strict safeguarding procedures and protocols at the National Esports Performance Campus.

All our staff on site go through stringent and enhanced DBS checks on a regular basis, as well as receiving regular safeguarding training in child protection and welfare.

Should you have a safeguarding query or concern, please get in touch with our Safeguarding Team who can discuss your questions in greater detail.

We do not have any parking facilities available at The Place or the Gaming Houses.

We encourage all visitors to consider using public transport when visiting our campus. 

If visiting by car, please consider using one of several local car parks, including;

  • Nile Street Car Park
  • Tatham Street Car Park
  • High Street West Car Park
  • Foyle Street

Please note, parking may be more difficult on match days when Sunderland AFC are playing at home at the Stadium of Light.

The National Esports Performance Campus, a groundbreaking esports, education and performance complex located in Sunderland, features three 1840 Grade II listed, four story townhouses, fully refurbished and recently modernised into luxury residential accommodation, with sleeping available for up to 27 guests.

Available to book as single houses, or as a group package including all three houses, Ruby House, Sapphire House and Emerald House feature a total of 17 bedrooms with a mix of single, double and twin bed options available.

Coupled with dedicated air conditioned esports performance rooms featuring the very latest Alienware Aurora R15 Gaming Stations, open plan kitchen and dining facilities, and access to the players lounge at The Place featuring F1 racing sim rigs, the luxurious on site accommodation at the National Esports Performance Campus is the ideal location for an esports bootcamp, or weekend getaway with friends.

If you are interested in booking our luxurious on site accommodation for a simple getaway, or as part of a wider package, please call +44 (0)191 500 7077 or get in touch with our Sales and Events Team or who will be happy to discuss your requirements in greater detail.

Our contemporary offices and classrooms at The Place are wheelchair accessible, with lifts available on all floors for ease of access.

Due to the architecture of the 1840 Grade II gaming houses, our on site accommodation is not accessible to wheelchair users, however we have corporate rates with two local hotels (close by) which are fully accessible.

Should you have accessibility concerns, we encourage you to get in touch with our Sales and Events Team or call +44 (0)191 500 7077, and they will be happy to discuss your requirements in greater detail.

At this time, our facilities are not available to book directly online (coming Q1 2024). We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding as we work towards ensuring we can deliver a seamless experience for our valued guests.

To book any of the facilities or for more information please get in touch with our Sales and Events Team or call +44 (0)191 500 7077, and they will be happy to discuss the current booking rates and your requirements in greater detail.

How to find us

How to find us

British Esports, The Place, Athenaeum Street, Sunderland, SR1 1QX

info@britishesports.org +44 (0) 191 500 7077

Opening hours

Monday – Friday

07:00 – 19:00

Closed to public

Saturday – Sunday

07:00 – 19:00

Closed to public

*Bookings by appointment only

How to get here

There is currently no visitor parking available at the National Esports Performance Campus.

If visiting by car, please consider using one of several local car parks, including;

Nile Street Car Park: Located just around the corner from The Place and Gaming Houses.

Tatham Street Car Park: Approximately a four minute walk from The Place.

High Street West Car Park: Also a four minute walk from The Place. For drivers displaying a disabled badge, no charges are required.

Foyle Street: There is limited street parking available on Foyle Street, just outside of The Place.

Please note, parking may be more difficult on match days when Sunderland AFC are playing at home.

Traveling to the National Esports Performance Campus from London by train is a straightforward journey.

Start your trip at London King’s Cross Station, one of the city’s major railway hubs. From there, select a train heading north to Newcastle upon Tyne (or Sunderland), as these services often make stops at Sunderland Railway Station. Newcastle is well connected, and you can expect regular train services in that direction.

Once onboard, settle in for a comfortable ride as you travel north. The journey from London to Sunderland typically takes around 3 to 3.5 hours, depending on the specific service.

Your final destination is Sunderland Railway Station, conveniently located within Sunderland’s city center.

Upon arriving at Sunderland Railway Station, you’ll find yourself just a short walk away from the National Esports Performance Campus.

The campus is well signposted within the city, making it easy to navigate from the train station. This train journey offers a convenient and efficient way to reach the campus from London, allowing you to enjoy the excitement of esports in Sunderland without the need for additional transportation.

From the North of England, follow the M1 motorway heading south. Merge onto the A1(M) toward London and continue until you reach junction 36. From there, take the A690 toward Sunderland. Follow the A690 until you reach Sunderland city center, where you’ll find clear signage to the campus.

From the South of England, take the M1 motorway northbound and merge onto the A1(M) heading north. Continue until you reach junction 62, then follow the A690 toward Sunderland.

Unfortunately, there is currently no visitor parking available at the campus. Please consider using one of the following recommended car parks:

Nile Street Car Park: Located just around the corner from The Place and Gaming Houses.

Tatham Street Car Park: Approximately a four minute walk from The Place.

High Street West Car Park: Also a four minute walk from The Place.

Foyle Street: There is limited street parking available on Foyle Street, just outside of The Place.

Arriving at the National Esports Performance Campus by bus, coach, or taxi is a convenient option for visitors. Sunderland boasts an efficient public transportation network, making access to the campus straightforward.

Numerous local bus routes connect to the Sunderland city center, where you can conveniently disembark near the campus.

For those arriving by coach, Sunderland’s central coach station is just a short walk away.

Taxis are readily available throughout the city, offering a swift and hassle free journey to the campus.

With various transportation choices at your disposal, getting to the National Esports Performance Campus is both simple and efficient.

Our contemporary and modern offices and classrooms at The Place offer accessibility to wheelchair users .

Lifts are available for guests to use across all floors allowing freedom of movement throughout the building, however there may be some restrictions to certain areas.

We recommend you get in touch to discuss for further accessibility information.

Explore our Campus Resources, including Residents Handbook, Booking & Cancellation Policy and Floor Plans & Venue Options.

Interested in booking our venue?

Get in touch with our Sales and Events team today to book our facilities, accommodation and more.