Previewing Belmont’s Upcoming State-of-the-Art Esports Facility

Space to feature 25 PC stations, ten 80-inch TVs, gaming consoles, raised floor and more to support casual and competitive gaming 

As the demand for esports continues to soar to record highs, Belmont is constructing Nashville’s premier esports facility within Caldwell II, positioning the University at the forefront of competitive gaming. The state-of-the-art lounge will debut when the new residence hall opens in fall 2025.

The esports scene in the US is projected to surpass $1.2 billion in 2025 and attract more than 640 million American viewers via streaming per Statista, and Belmont will cater to gamers with unmatched amenities for casual and competitive players. The space will not only provide a top-tier gaming experience, but a place to foster community and build belonging on campus. 

“We tell students at Belmont to ‘find your fit,’ whatever that looks like — it can be working out, hanging out with people from your major, playing basketball or playing video games,” said Jamie Zeller, director of Fitness and Recreation. “What we mean is find your community. Find a group where you go because you know you belong there. We have students who connect over video games, but currently, they have nowhere to go — this space will change that.”

The Specs 

When initially planning the space, Zeller visited other universities across the country with esports lounges for inspiration. After dozens of conversations with colleagues and professionals, the vision for the facility was finalized. 

A raised floor will conceal cables and allow for flexible room arrangements for different events. Lighting will be broken into five RGB LED zones, enabling distinct areas to be lit differently and match team colors in competitive play. 

In an everyday setting, half of the space will be dedicated to PC gaming featuring 25 PC stations. The other half will offer several consoles and ten 80-inch TVs along the walls. Students will be able to come and go, taking advantage of the games and amenities the room has to offer. 

In a competitive setting, the room will be rearranged for the teams to face the audience. TVs will broadcast the players’ feeds to the audience for an interactive viewing experience, and an area for play-by-play commentary will exist as well.

“Lots of people don’t understand the interactive element of competitive esports until they watch it, but it is a lot like watching basketball or another sport in person,” said Zeller. “Sure, you could be at home and watch a game, but it’s a whole different experience when you are there watching it with the crowd and the noise pumping through the speakers — it’s that sense of watching with community, and we really want to create that with this space.” 

Though in-person play is the space’s primary focus, the lounge is also equipped for student teams to compete in online matches against opponents across the country. 

Enhancing Gaming in Nashville 

In addition to casual drop-in gaming sessions, the esports lounge will serve as a dynamic, multipurpose space. It will provide a dedicated home for the Bruin Esports Club, and position Belmont to explore competitive opportunities, including potential participation in the Missouri Valley Conference’s newly launched esports league. 

Beyond campus, there is additional potential for the space to fill a crucial void in Nashville’s gaming ecosystem. 

“There really isn’t another gaming arena like this in Nashville,” said Zeller. “I’ve been in talks with high schools and local organizations, and they have students that rent out party rooms at indoor trampoline parks, lug their equipment out there, pack it all up and do it again every day, all week. We can not only support our Belmont students with this space, but support Nashville’s esports scene as a whole.” 

Looking ahead, the facility is equipped to host summer camps that combine gameplay with critical soft-skill development workshops like leadership training and team communication. 

Belmont's investment in this state-of-the-art facility represents more than a gaming space; it's a commitment to community. As Caldwell II prepares to open its doors in 2025, its housed esports hub promises to not only be a cutting-edge haven for gamers on campus, but creates the potential for future opportunities to engage Nashvillians passionate about one of the world's largest-growing industries.