Des Moines gets new esports league this summer

Des Moines is launching a new summer esports league starting in July, city officials announced this week.

The big picture: Esports is a big deal. The billion-dollar industry is projected to grow by 400% in the next six years, according to Data Bridge Market Research.

• Video game usage skyrocketed during the pandemic, and with streaming services like Twitch gaining popularity, the trend isn't expected to slow down.
• Esports has also carved space in college sports. Just look at Grand View University, the first in our state to launch a varsity esports program that the school says has "exponentially" grown in players ever since.

Why it matters: It could open up opportunities for future investment in our city.

• Members of the city's Park Board said this week that they'd consider a partnership between the city league and Grand View in the future.
• It could even open doors for DSM to host big national events. I mean hey, we did it with skateboarding.

Details: Standard registration for the summer league begins Tuesday and costs $30.

• There are leagues for ages 8 and up, starting the week of July 11 and lasting six weeks.

• To play, you need your own console/computer and gaming account.
• The games: Madden NFL 21, Rocket League and Super Smash Bros.

What to watch: The Des Moines Gaming Club, a new gaming business that will also offer virtual reality, is opening in the coming weeks inside Southridge Mall.

• It'll have leagues, tournaments, casual play hours and watch parties.

💬 Our thought bubble: Way cool. DSM's forward-thinking helps explain why we were ranked among the top park systems in the nation yesterday.

• Esports wasn't a factor in the Trust for Public Land's ParkScore index, but it should be!