Theatre chain Hoyts have become the exclusive cinema sponsor and partner of the League of Legends Oceanic Pro League. They have also become the official viewing party partner for many other LoL events in Australia and New Zealand. What does this mean? Wanna watch the LoL OPL finals on the big screen with a room full of superfans? Now you can.
“HOYTS are excited to partner with League of Legends esports gaming to give our audiences a diversity of content, so they can experience more with their friends and family,” said Hoyts Group CEO Daniel Keogh of the partnership. “The esports genre continues to grow within the Australian market, consumer demand is high and we want our guests to experience these events the best way possible, on the big screen.”
Riot Games’ Oceania Marketing Director Mark Cox echoed the sentiments, saying “We look forward to working with HOYTS and extending our esports viewing experience to the big screen for our players. Throughout the year, players will now be able to attend community cinema events across Australia and New Zealand to watch local and global esports broadcasts live amongst friends in an electric cinematic atmosphere that they wouldn’t necessarily experience at home”.
Hoyts will host a total of nine eSports events on their screens this year, with a handful currently unannounced. The ones we know about so far are as follows:
- OPL Split 1 Final – April 5 (with tickets on sale Tuesday 29 March)
- International Wild Card Invitational (IWCI) – Date TBC
- Mid Seasonal Invitational (MSI) – Date TBC
- OPL Grand Final – August 13
- International Wild Card Qualifiers (IWCQ) – Date TBC
- World Championship Finals – Date TBC
Theatres confirmed to be participating in these events include Broadway (NSW), Highpoint (VIC), Carousel (WA), Norwood (SA), Stafford (QLD), Sylvia Park (Auckland) and Riccarton (Christchurch). So no love for Tasmania, the ACT and the NT just yet but that may change in the future.
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