Gamers invited to test their mettle at new eSports tournament

The first eSports event in Rochdale town centre will take place on the FA Cup final weekend

Gamers are being invited to test their mettle at a new eSports tournament in the Exchange Shopping Centre on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 May.

Rochdale BID has teamed up with the Exchange Shopping Centre and SLBC Events to offer the first eSports event within Rochdale town centre, taking place on the FA Cup final weekend. 

FIFA 19 game fans are invited to show off their scoring skills on FIF19 for a chance to win a PlayStation 4 bundle. The event will be held within the unit which lies next to Vision Express. 

Paul Ambrose, BID Manager, said: “eSports, or competitive console and computer gaming, is rapidly becoming mainstream, with millions of players worldwide. They are even being considered as a sport for the 2020 Olympics in Japan. 

“This event is a great way of diversifying the experience within the shopping centre and engaging within the younger community within Rochdale.”

Lorenzo O’Reilly, Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre manager, said: “As a hub of the community, we are keen to offer more to our customers and this is not only a fantastic way to bring people together, but it is also fundraising for a Rochdale charity that is doing so much good across the town.

“I’m sure it will be a great success and we look forward to seeing who comes out on top in the final results.”

Entry costs just £1 and all proceeds will go to Rochdale Connections Trust.