Gamers play various games Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021 at the Bend Arena in South Bend. Staff photo by Michael Caterina
Adam Miller competes in a weekly Forza tournament for Saint Joseph on Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021 at Bend Arena in South Bend. Staff photo by Michael Caterina
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SOUTH BEND — Just a couple of years after it was first conceived, the new esports arena inside Century Center is showing its ability to draw in gaming enthusiasts from Michiana and beyond
Already serving as the home of esports teams from Bethel University and South Bend Lions FC, the former Bendix Theater — now known as the Bendix Esports Arena — already has hosted several esports tournaments, including one that drew 16 teams from 12 different colleges and universities in the Midwest a couple of weeks ago.
Moretournaments already are lined up, and now the arena has entered into a sponsorship agreement with Xfinity, a provider of high-speed Internet, cable television and other telecommunication services, that runs until Dec. 31, 2023.
As part of the deal, a gaming center inside Century Center will take on the name of the sponsor and will be rebranded later this year. In exchange, Comcast, which is the parent of the Xfinity brand, will provide high-speed internet services for the new gaming center and arena.
The company also will pay $40,000 a year to have its name associated with the esports facilities inside Century Center.
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