Game on in Gorham at USM's $1.5M 'esports' arena

inside esports room at University of Southern Maine in Gorham.

Photo / Courtesy of University of Southern Maine The University of Southern Maine has opened a $1.5M esports arena in Gorham designed by SMRT Architects & Engineers in Portland.

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By Renee Cordes

As competitive video gaming gains traction around the globe, the University of Southern Maine aims to capitalize on the momentum with a new $1.5 million arena unveiled this week at the school’s Gorham campus.

The esports facility, designed by Portland-based SMRT Architects & Engineers and built by Westbrook-based Benchmark Construction, was funded with $750,000 from Town & Country Federal Credit Union, for whom the venue is named.

USM spokesman Oliver Griswold said the school is raising funds to cover the rest of the price tag. He said the 2,020-square-foot facility is able to accommodate to 24 students at a time sharing consoles and playing games.

The Esports Arena by Town & Country was designed with input from students and USM leadership, the arena will serve as a home for USM’s esports teams and student gaming clubs and will host tournaments, workshops and community events.

“Esports has quickly become one of the most popular and exciting club activities on our campus,” said USM President Jacqueline Edmondson.

She added that the arena “will be more than a place to play. It’s a place where students will build friendships, strengthen a sense of belonging, and develop skills that employers are looking for in Maine’s growing digital economy.”

$2B global market and growing

As part of the partnership, Town & Country will provide financial education programming and internship opportunities for students involved in esports and gaming.

“We’re not just supporting esports — we’re supporting opportunity, creativity, and the future of these students,” said David Libby, president and CEO of the Scarborough-based credit union.

“Esports isn’t just about gaming. It’s about strategy, communications, leadership, teamwork [and] a sense of belonging,” he added. “These are the real wins, and they are exactly the skills students need to succeed in today’s world."

The global esports market, estimated at $2.13 billion in 2024, is projected to reach $7.46 billion by 2034, driven in part by an increase in live streaming of gains and infrastructure for tournaments, according to data from GrandView Research.