EDUCATION

'Long time coming': UT, Dell Technologies partner to open Alienware Longhorn Esports Arena

Austin American-Statesman

Attention Longhorns fans: The University of Texas has a new arena. In partnership with Dell Technologies, UT on Wednesday opened the Alienware Longhorn Esports Arena in the Texas Union — a place where casual and competitive student gamers can play.

“It’s been a long time coming,” Austin Espinoza, a UT alum and the manager of the esports arena and esports lounge, told the American-Statesman. “It’s honestly a dream come true to be able to have students be able to play together in person.”

Alienware — a gaming brand owned by Dell Technologies — worked with UT to open the Alienware Longhorn Esports Lounge in August 2022. The new arena spans 3,400 square feet, with 43 gaming stations, a production center, coaching room and viewing area.

Braulio Franyuti, a junior accounting student, and Jorge Gracia, a senior economics student, play FIFA23 in the Alienware Longhorn E-sports Lounge in the Texas Union, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. The upstairs lounge was the first stage of UT's partnership with Alienware and opened in August of 2022. The larger arena downstairs, opened this week, builds upon the success of the lounge.

There are 150 competitive esports players at UT and about 900 casual gamers that are a part of the Longhorn Gaming student club. Espinoza said having this arena opens more opportunities for the team to grow.

James Buckley, UT director of facilities and operations for university unions, said the arena's creation has been several years in the making.

“Students really wanted to have that community, to be able to meet their neighbor and know who they’re playing with and make new friends,” Buckley said. “Which is what college is all about.”

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UT President Jay Hartzell spoke at the ribbon cutting Wednesday and called the partnership “a huge success.”

“This is the newest member of the UT Sports family,” Hartzell said. “Our tradition here at the university is we like to win and to win you need great facilities.”

Jack Rowe, a computation engineering sophomore at the University of Texas, plays on the virtual reality gaming headset after the official opening of the Alienware Longhorn Esports Arena in the Texas Union, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023.

Matt McGowan, Alienware product lead, said that collaborating with UT was natural due to their shared ambition for esports development and the careers within the field.

“It’s really moved into an industry,” McGowan said about gaming. “A big thing we want to get across with this partnership in particular is that this is a career path for a lot of folks that are interested in gaming.”

Jack Alberts, president of the student organization and an employee of Alienware Longhorn esports, said he is most excited for the varsity space.

“Our teams having a consistent place to practice builds camaraderie and community,” Alberts said.

Hartzell said he is also excited for students to learn about broadcasting and producing esports through the arena. He thanked Dell Technologies and Alienware for their partnership.

“This is the latest, greatest thing that we’ve done together,” Hartzell said. “We fully intend this not to be the last.”

University of Texas President Jay Hartzell, third from left, plays a game against Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Soncia Reagins-Lilly, second from left, play a game against each other as students watch after the official opening of the Alienware Longhorn Esports Arena in the Texas Union, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. The arena includes 43 gaming stations, various consoles and virtual reality.