On Oct. 3, nearly a thousand people will fill Southern California's newest sports arena, spending up to $75 a seat to watch teams from across the continent battle for bragging rights — and at least $20,000.
Twenty-four top stars will compete, not in a kick-boxing ring or on a basketball court, but sitting at computers. The video game action will be projected on giant screens as spectators watch players cast spells online and slay enemies with virtual weaponry.
The spectacle kicks off the new eSports Arena in Santa Ana, a 15,000-square-foot, first-of-its-kind U.S. gym and recreation center designed for video gaming.