A Home for Competition, Broadcasting, and Learning
As Academic and Varsity Esports expand at Syracuse University, the need emerged for a space that could support class instruction, tournament style competition and, live broadcasting. Designed to host large-scale esports events while supporting day-to-day educational use, the auditorium merges the energy of a competitive gaming arena with the functionality of a modern lecture hall.
The centerpiece of the project is a new two-story 30,000 square foot addition that houses four of the school’s seven grade-level teams.
Custom color-changing lighting, dynamic wall finishes, and digital displays create a distinctive immersive atmosphere that reflects the excitement of esports while reinforcing the University’s brand.
Technology Built Into the Experience
The success of the space depended on the seamless integration of technology throughout. Our team collaborated closely with esports consultants, audiovisual specialists, acousticians, lighting designers, and university stakeholders to create an environment capable of supporting collegiate-level tournaments and professional-quality broadcasts.
Beyond the main competition floor, the project includes a broadcast hub featuring a live control room, audio isolation booth, studio and shoutcasting spaces.
These environments provide students with hands-on experience operating professional production equipment, managing live events, mixing audio, directing broadcasts, and creating digital content.
The control room serves as the operational heart of the facility, coordinating live gameplay, streaming, video production, and audience engagement in real time.
Flexible by Design
The auditorium was transformed to support competitive gaming at the highest collegiate level yet, flexibility remained a central project goal. Using simple controls, the space can quickly transition from an esports venue into a classroom, or university event space.
This dual-purpose approach maximizes the value of the facility, creating a space that supports both academic instruction and student life while positioning Syracuse University for the continued growth of esports and broadcast programming.
