May 15, 2023
Copper Box Arena welcomed the Apex Legends Global Series (ALGS) Year 3 Split 1 Playoffs over the weekend of February 2-5, 2023, for the first-ever ALGS competition on UK soil.
During the four-day event, the world’s 40 top Apex Legends squads battled to claim the title of Split 1 Champion and the lion’s share of the USD $1 million prize pool.
Having hosted previous events such as the Rugby League World Cup and a Dizzee Rascal concert as well as other innovative sports events such as Legacy Cheer and Dance, Copper Box Arena once again proved its flexibility as a first-choice event space.
The arena, which is fast becoming the home of esports in London, was transformed into a gaming arena, with state-of-the-art audio and visual equipment, and high-speed internet for participating competitors.
It is not the first time the arena has shown its ability to adapt, having hosted numerous esports events such as Gran Turismo, League of Legends, Call of Duty and many others as well as many unique sporting events.
Ryan Thompson, Chief Production Officer at Esports Engine, said: “Esports Engine’s industry-leading production capabilities have supported Copper Box Arena’s reputation as a premier destination for gaming and esports.
“By leaning on our integrated Esports Engine studio at Here East and Copper Box’s dynamic facility, we’re able to deliver best-in-class experiences for our partners and their audiences.
“Copper Box Arena’s flexibility makes it the ideal canvas for creating one-of-a-kind productions from large-scale battle royale tournaments like the Apex Legends Global Series to intimate, broadcast-only championships.
"We look forward to continuing to bring exciting opportunities to both the London gaming community and fans around the world.”
Electronic Arts (EA) and Respawn Entertainment collaborated with Esports Engine (EE), a global gaming and esports leader, to produce and manage the event.
The event was marketed to Apex Legends fans worldwide, with tickets available for purchase online.
With over 100 million unique monthly players worldwide, Apex Legends is a massively popular first-person shooter video game developed by Respawn Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts.
The game’s competitive ecosystem, the ALGS, features 150 teams competing across five regions for the chance to participate in three marquee LAN competitions. The recent Split 1 Playoffs featured 40 of the world's best Apex Legends teams, competing in a heated playoff format in front of a live crowd. Twenty teams reached the finals, which reached a dramatic conclusion, where TSM were crowned the ALGS Split 1 winners.
In addition to fans cheering on their favourite players from the stands, viewers tuned in to watch the action on platforms like Twitch and YouTube.
Stuart Hutchison, General Manager of Copper Box Arena described the event explaining: “It’s fantastic to see one of the most popular global game titles come to Copper Box Arena and global giants such as Esports Engine choosing to utilise the space time and time again.
“It’s great to see the legacy from the 2012 Olympic games extending beyond the space of traditional sports.”
As the Copper Box Arena continues to make a name for itself on the global gaming and esports stage, events like the Apex Legends Global Series Year 3 Split 1 Playoffs and the support of companies like Esports Engine are putting the arena on the map.