I can’t lay claim to the “World’s Greatest Sports Fan” title, but I do love the fact that Arlington is such a great city for sports watching, whether you’re a casual fan or an over-the-top sports freak. Seriously,  we’ve just about got it all: baseball, football, basketball, college sports—and as of last year, Arlington is now home to the largest Esports venue in all of North America.

On Nov. 16, Arlington will host some of the greatest Esports athletes and personalities in the world, when Esports Stadium Arlington opens its doors to welcome the “Oscars of Esports,”the Esports Awards 2019. Let’s take a look at what’s on the agenda for the big event and how you can be a part of the action:

What are the Esports Awards all about?

The Esports Awards recognize “top class performance and innovation” in just about every corner of the Esports universe—including players, teams, media, hardware providers, games, and Esports personalities.  This year, the event will present awards in three categories: community, industry, and pro. You can view the award names and find out more about each category here; you can also check out previous winners in the 2018 Esports Hall of Fame.  

When and where are the awards happening?

The awards will be hosted at Esports Stadium Arlington, a 100,000 square-foot gaming facility near Globe Life Field/AT&T Stadium that opened last year as the largest Esports arena in North America. The ceremony will be on Sat., Nov. 16 from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.

Photo of Esports Stadium Arlington with graphic that says "Hosted by Arlington, Texas, Esports Stadium Arlington, Where Champions Are Crowned"

Image from Esports Awards promotional video

How much are tickets?

Boy, do I have great news for you: Not only are the Esports Awards opening to the general public for the first time ever—and not only can you watch the 2019 awards at one of the grandest Esports venues in the world—general admission tickets are only $25! If you’re in the mood to splurge, upgrade to a VIP ticket for $100, which includes premium seats, swag, and gaming credits you can redeem at the Esports Stadium Arlington Gaming Center. 

Are you an Esports fan? You can help select the winners!

Many of the award winners are selected via a multi-step process that includes both a judging panel and a community vote—sort of an “American Idol” or “America’s Got Talent” type of process.  Community categories include “Content Creator of the Year,” “Esports Cosplayer of the Year,” “Esports Videographer of the Year,” and “Streamer of the Year.” Voting closes Nov. 8; find out more here.

You can also vote on the Play of the Year

Each month, the Esports Awards names a “Play of the Month” honoring greatness across the world of Esports; you can cast your vote for your ultimate favorite in the Esports “Play of the Year” contest. Watch this video for the full rundown. This award is hosted by the TommyT999 channel, named for British gamer and YouTube star Ross Thompson.

By the way: If you’re intrigued but uninformed about the world of Esports, you might peruse my 2018 Q&A with the faculty advisor for the UTA Esports Club. In this article you will learn more about the basics of Esports, how to get started as a new player, careers in Esports, and etiquette tips for Esports fans.

Learn more about the Esports Awards 2019

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