A United Kingdom local authority has confirmed that $250,000 of funding awarded to the now canceled SuperDome esports event is accounted for and in the possession of a local council.
Late last month, Esports.net reported on the disappearance of the SuperDome esports event, a major tournament set to take place in September 2024, in Solihull, England. In January, an announcement by the West Midlands Combined Authority appeared to suggest that $250,000 of the Commonwealth Games 2022 legacy fund had already been shared with the now defunct SuperDome esports event.
The NEC Complex in Solihul, England. Image Credit: NEC Group
After reaching out to multiple parties involved in the event, including tournament organizers, the West Midlands Combined Authority, and the Resorts World Arena, Esports.net can report that the $250,000 allocated to the SuperDome event is currently in the possession of Solihull Local Council.
In a statement to Esports.net, a spokesman for the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) explained:
“Funding for the SuperDome esports event was awarded to Solihull Council and not directly to the organisers. The funding remains in place and Solihull Council is currently working through the details for an exciting alternative event early next year. The WMCA’s Major Events Fund is helping to bring major events to the region to help bolster the West Midlands’ growing reputation as location of choice for major global sporting and cultural events.”
Solihull Council is one of seven constituent authorities that make up the WMCA. Solihull itself is home to the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) complex and Resorts World Arena where the event was reportedly set to take place.
As part of their statement, the WMCA referred us to a recent report by Solihull Council which stated that its visitor economy had reached over £1.27 billion in 2023. In the report, the council highlighted the ESL One Birmingham 2024 Dota 2 tournament as one of the drivers of the continued success of Solihull’s tourism and leisure sector. Solihull Council recently also published a video highlighting the success of the tournament on its YouTube channel:
Speaking about the event, Solihull Councillor Wazma Qais said:
“Exciting new events like ESL One Birmingham 2024 are helping to put Solihull on the map as a globally connected hive of tourism activity in the heart of the West Midlands. International esports tournaments like this represent a rapidly growing sector and one which is encouraging a younger demographic of visitor while also creating a real buzz”
Solihull council appeared to hint that any replacement event for the SuperDome could be esports related, although this is unconfirmed.
Reasons behind the cancellation and disappearance of the SuperDome Esports event remain unconfirmed.
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