With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing public places to temporarily shut their doors for the past few months, local gaming tournaments have had to either be suspended indefinitely or make the move to an online multiplayer platform. However, now, as the shelter-in-place restrictions start to be lifted and public spaces slowly begin to open back up, competitive gamers in Las Vegas are about to get their local tournament venue back (at least in some capacity).

The HyperX Esports Arena Las Vegas, located in the Luxor Hotel & Casino, will reopen its doors to the public on Thursday, June 25th. However, there will be some expected limitations and criteria for entering the arena.

Social distancing and strict sanitation efforts will be enforced as the HyperX Esports Arena opens back up, which will include the following measures:

  • Masks, hand sanitizer, and gloves available upon arrival (per Nevada law, mask use is suggested, but not required) Six-foot separation between gaming stations Disinfecting of gaming stations, peripherals, and other equipment before and after every use Hourly disinfecting of all common spaces Clearly marked floor icons for guest queuing Personal sanitization areas for guest use Limited food and beverage service Mask and hand washing requirements for all employees

In addition, walk-up gameplay will be available Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. The Main Arena - in which the weekly in-person tournaments are held - will be limited to “Wednesday Whiffs” (Super Smash Bros. Ultimate), “Friday Frags” (Fortnite), and “Saturday Night Speedway” (Mario Kart 8), with tournaments being capped at as many players as it takes to maintain proper social distancing practice. (In other words, get there early.) VIP rooms will remain closed until further notice.

CEO of Allied Esports, Jud Hannigan, expressed excitement about reopening the arena, while noting that doing so means making sure to take care of visitor safety above all else:

“The health of our communities will always come first and foremost, and we’ve taken the necessary steps to create an environment where gamers can come together again. We’re confident that with our safety protocols in place players and fans will still be able to enjoy the thrill of the on-site experience that HyperX Esports Arena is known for.”

Source: Allied Esports

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