Esports ‘training center’ opens in Broomfield as Colorado’s gaming industry grows

DENVER ( KDVR ) — Colorado’s governor was out in Broomfield on Saturday to support esports, an industry he’s been a proponent of for years.

Perhaps the support is because Gov. Jared Polis is a gamer himself, as seen during a visit to Broomfield’s new Valhallan E-Sports Training Center, or perhaps it’s because esports has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry. According to Fortune Business Insights, the global esports market was valued at $1.72 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to $9.29 billion by 2032.

“Well, gaming is really important for kids, to be able to participate in online gaming. More and more high schools are doing it, which is awesome, and it’s also great training for today’s world — which, these kinds of skills are important for the workforce,” Polis told FOX31, not missing a beat while playing a League of Legends match.

The training center is designed to be a community hub for youth gamers of all skills and backgrounds, according to its website. The company was founded in Houston and has expanded to locations around North America.

“Valhallan aims to change the entire conversation around gaming by showing kids and parents alike that there are numerous personal and professional opportunities available through esports,” said Wayne McCulloch, owner of Valhallan, Broomfield, in a press release.

The company’s website also discusses using the tools learned through gaming — teamwork, goal setting, communication and more — and translating those skills into the real world.

Valhallan targets kids aged seven to 17 to participate in team video games, and this is the first of its locations in Colorado. The Saturday event featured cutting-edge gaming equipment and chances to test out some of the games, as well as a health and movement station to teach kids to stretch and develop healthy posture.

“Colorado’s bright E-sports future is strengthened by today’s grand opening,” Polis said in a release from the governor’s office. “This facility will continue to bring together Coloradans who love gaming to learn, grow, and compete together. Colorado is an E-sports leader, and as a gamer myself, I look forward to seeing Colorado create more opportunities for E-sports enthusiasts across the state.”

Polis also joined the University of Colorado Boulder in January when the campus opened a gaming and esports lounge on campus.

It’s no surprise that the governor would be interested in this industry. Competitive gaming is projected to have a global market size of $2.4 billion by the end of the year, and the International Olympic Committee recently announced it will host the first-ever Olympic Esports Games in 2025 .

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