Esports Arena Is Starting A Semi-Pro League In ‘Fortnite’ And ‘Super Smash Bros. Ultimate’

A player at an Esports Arena Pro Shop inside Walmart.

Credit: Esports Arena

Topline: Esports Arena, which operates facilities for public video game tournaments, is starting a semi-pro esports league in Fortnite and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate called Esports Arena Series E, operating out of its two dedicated spaces in California and its Pro Shops inside Walmarts.

This coincides with an expanded partnership with Walmart as Esports Arena will open 11 more Pro Shops inside of Supercenters by April, bringing the total to 18.

Before the Series E begins in May, Esports Arena will run qualifiers at its locations from February 6 to March 27, selecting 40 players to participate in an April 17 draft where they're matched up with sponsors like Nerf, Pop Tarts, Cheez-It and Pringles.

Esports Arena will broadcast matches liveâ€"Super Smash Bros. on Saturdays and Fortnite on Sundaysâ€"on Twitch, Mixer and on Walmart's website.

While Fortnite games will be held online, Super Smash Bros. will have in-person matches, with players traveling to Esports Arena locations twice a month for home-and-away games.

Players are compensated with $1,000 a month across a 20-week period, culminating in an end-of-season championship that will pay out prize money.

The four highest-ranked players at the conclusion of the season have the opportunity to retain their spots in the league, while the remaining players will have to compete for inclusion against qualifying amateurs.

Crucial Quote: Tyler Endres, CEO of Esports Arena: “For us to provide this farm league, semi-pro league, little league, for the everyday gamer to have that chance to take their first step in esports is really what Esports Arena has been focused on.”

Key Background: In 2015, Esports Arena opened its first 15,000-square-foot location in Orange County, CA, with a second location opened in Oakland. The facilities offer a $5 hourly pass to freely play games, as well as $10-15 tickets to compete in events each weeknight, including Super Smash Bros. on Thursday and Fortnite on Friday. The company began partnering with Walmart in 2018, opening 1,000-square-foot Pro Shops within Supercenters, where customers can also shop for gaming gear. The company will be opening two more dedicated facilities just outside Chicago and Detroit.

Big Number: $121 million. That's how much the ten top-earning gamers made in 2019.

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