The new esports facility, named “The Flight Deck,” will open next year.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The University of North Florida will open a new esports arena next year after Jacksonville City Council approved $3 million in funding toward the project during Tuesday’s meeting.
UNF officials said the new esports facility, named The Flight Deck, will be located on the second floor of the John A. Delaney Student Union.
Officials believe the facility will assist the university in attracting more students wanting to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math, which would bring national competitions and visitors to the campus.
The $3 million was a part of the nearly $8 million that the City of Jacksonville did not use during the previous fiscal year. City officials said the $7,980,286 in funding was identified during the Mayor’s Budget Review Committee in March.
“We are so appreciative of the support from Mayor Deegan and the City Council as UNF Esports is poised to transform Jacksonville into a premier center for digital innovation and gaming,” said UNF President Moez Limayem. “This is a significant milestone for our university and the entire community. We couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to enhance innovative technology in our region.”
The facility will feature 42 high-performance PC gaming stations, a built-in competition stage for live tournaments and team play, a broadcast studio for live streaming, shoutcasting and content production, and a flexible console play zone for casual and console-based gaming. The space will be connected to the adjacent auditorium to allow for spectator seating and large scale events.
University officials said the esports industry is projected to generate more than $6.3 billion by 2030, and will have a direct impact on Jacksonville’s workforce, as 80% of UNF grads stay in Florida with 70% staying in Northeast Florida.
