Outlook Magazine - Fall 2025

Esports Arena UW-Stout’s esports team is playing in a new, state-of-the-art arena this fall, thanks to a $1 million donation from the UW-Stout Foundation and Alumni Association. The arena is anticipated to be one of the best in the nation and gives UW-Stout the ability to host matches and regional events. “The UW-Stout Foundation Board is delighted to further the athletic and aca demic innovation and achievement of our student athletes with a new, state-of-the-art esports arena,” said Linda Funk ('76) , pres ident of the Foundation Board of Directors. Located on the first floor of the library, the Blue Devil-branded arena has 34 computer stations — more than double the capacity of the team’s previous space in Heritage Hall — special effects lighting, a spectator area with overhead TVs and a production room to broadcast matches to online fans. The site plan aligns with the University Long Range Plan to enhance library use. Having the arena in a central campus loca tion also helps to create visibility and acces sibility for esports, while supporting the athletes and reinforcing UW-Stout’s connec tion between athletics and academics. Gaming & Digital Innovation Lab The newly updated Gaming & Digital Innovation (GDI) Lab is a free play lab open to students, faculty and staff for recreational and instructional use. Students can experi ence the history of gaming and learn about the ever-expanding video game industry. More than 10,000 visitors enter the lab each year, shuffling through its vintage and contemporary game collection of more than 2,300 titles, playing on the 25 major video game consoles and exploring a digital games catalog of more than 250 titles. With three nationally ranked programs in game design, UW-Stout is a leader in the Midwest in providing skilled talent for the digital interactive media industry. Recently, the programs have been spotlighted because of pending legislation that would encourage national and international video game com panies to come to Wisconsin.

The $1 million donation from the UW-Stout Foundation & Alumni Association Board and donors has created one of the best esports arenas in the nation.

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University of Wisconsin-Stout