The National Esports Centre has officially opened in Cork, marking a major milestone for esports, gaming and digital education in Ireland. With An Taoiseach Micheál Martin in attendance, the launch establishes the country’s first dedicated esports facility, representing a significant step forward for Ireland’s esports, gaming, and digital education sectors.
The National Esports Centre will serve as an elite training ground for Ireland’s esports teams, preparing them for global competitions, including the European Esports Championships 2025, the World Esports Championships, the Global Esports Games, and the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in 2027.
In addition to competition, the Centre will advance education and digital skills development. Its state-of-the-art classrooms support the Digital Skills and Esports College, delivering accredited STEAM-directed programmes that equip students with essential skills in technology, media, and gaming.
The National Esports Centre also features:
🎮 The WYLDE Academy powered by Virgin Media Ireland – A professional academy for structured esports training
🏎️ A Sim Racing Lounge in collaboration with Williams Sim Racing – Supporting education through competitive and grassroots racing esports
🏆 A Dedicated Tournament Zone – Designed for national and international esports competitions
📡 Advanced AV and Broadcast Technology – Showcasing events, corporate initiatives and digital content creation
🔬 Partnerships with Industry & Academia – Supporting research, skills development and career pathways
The gaming industry continues to expand, with global video game revenue—including esports—reaching $227.6 billion in 2023 and projected to surpass $300 billion by 2028. The National Esports Centre aims to position Ireland as a key player in this rapidly growing sector.
A huge thank you to our partners, stakeholders and supporters for making this vision a reality. We look forward to shaping the next chapter of Irish esports together.
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