City Grants $3M to University of North Florida for Esports Arena

The University of North Florida, based in Jacksonville, Florida, has announced that it will open an esports arena after the city council approved a $3 million grant. 

The arena, The Flight Deck, will not only host national competitions for popular titles but is also going to be used to encourage students to pursue STEM careers. 

UNF President Speaks Out

“We are so appreciative of the support from Mayor Deegan and the City Council as UNF Esports is poised to transform Jacksonville into a premier center for digital innovation and gaming,” UNF President Moez Limayem said. 

“This is a significant milestone for our University and the entire community. We couldn’t be more excited about the opportunity to enhance innovative technology in our region,” Limayem followed up.

The arena will feature 43 high-performance PCs, a stage for live tournaments, a live streaming and content broadcast studio, an area for casual console play, and “event integration for seamless connection to the adjacent auditorium for spectator seating and large-scale events,” per a UNF blog post. 

More on the UNF Blog Post

UNF and the city of Jacksonville find value in esports and its future prospects as an industry. 

“The esports industry, projected to grow to over $6.3 billion by 2030, goes far beyond gaming and will have a direct impact on the future of Jacksonville’s workforce. The Flight Deck aligns with UNF’s strategy to grow enrollment rapidly to serve Jacksonville's workforce needs. UNF graduates have a direct impact on the state economy, with 80% of UNF grads staying in Florida and 70% staying in Northeast Florida,” the blog post read. 

City Council Vote

The City Council overwhelmingly favored the grant, voting 16-0. Three individuals abstained from voting. 

The vote for file # 2025-0265-E came in on April 8. The introducer/co-sponsor of the legislation was Will Lahnen. 

Florida is known to offer and empower gaming, including things like sports betting, casino play, and even sweepstakes casinos, which can be accessed in the Sunshine State.