Esports Lab Design Guide: How To Create the Ultimate Gaming Space for Students

Football. Basketball. Baseball. They’ve had the school spotlight for decades.  

 

But, there’s a new sport on campus – one that’s filling seats, boosting engagement and redefining what it means to be part of a team.  

 

Welcome to esports.  

 

Since 2018, over 8,600 high schools already launched esports teams. On the college side, esports also gained serious traction. As of late 2022, over 270 colleges and universities in the U.S. had varsity esports programs.   

 

Plus, the global esports market is valued at $2.22 billion as of 2024, and is projected to reach $6.51 billion by 2029. It’s clear that esports labs are more than a fad – it’s here to stay. 

 

So What Exactly is Esports?  

Esports is competitive video gaming at an organized level. Players go head-to-head in tournaments, either online or in person, playing popular games like Overwatch 2, Smite, Super Smash Bros and Rocket League. It’s recognized as a legitimate sport by many organizations, and some universities even hand out scholarships to players. 

 

Esports labs provide the physical space for this competition – a place where students can practice, strategize and compete in a game-ready environment.  

 

Why Start an Esports Program (& Build an Esports Lab)?  

Here’s what esports brings to your school: 

• Skills that transfer to careers: Students develop problem-solving abilities, computational thinking, teamwork, communication, leadership and strategic thinking under pressure. These skills are exactly what employers are looking for, no matter the career path.  

• Accessibility and inclusion: Esports opens the door for everyone. Students with disabilities, those who aren’t into traditional sports and students of all genders can compete on equal ground. Because most matches happen online, even rural schools can participate without the burden of travel. 

• Higher engagement: Schools report increased attendance, improved academic performance and stronger student engagement. Esports creates community and belonging for students who might otherwise remain disconnected from school activities. 

• Tangible opportunities: Esports helps students develop technical know-how that can lead to careers in IT, design or media. Competitive players can earn scholarships, and those interested in broadcasting or production can gain hands-on experience behind the scenes. 

Getting Started 

The first step to esports design is creating a space that works for your players. Designing an esports arena is similar to designing a football stadium – you need function, but you also want to wow visitors and show off that team spirit. 

 

We’ve designed several esports arenas, and we’ve learned a thing or two along the way. Here are the questions you need to answer before hitting the ground running. 

 

1. What vibe are you going for?  

The look and feel of your esports lab set the stage for the whole experience. Here are some factors you should think about: 

 

• Purpose: What will the space be used for? Will it be used for gaming tournaments or casual gaming sessions? Will it be a multipurpose space that will be used for more than just esports?  

• Audience: Who will be using the space? A space for middle schoolers might feel bright and fun, while a high school or college lab could lean darker and more polished. 

• Lighting: Lighting plays a big role too. LED strips or color-changing lights can give the room that classic “gaming” feel while still being functional. 

• Colors: Darker colors with pops of bright colors are popular for esports arenas. However, you can also use a specific color scheme that aligns with your school colors, team colors or the games that will be played in the space. 

• Esports furniture and decor: The furniture and decor should complement the chosen style. Industrial-style furniture can work well for an esports room, but you can also incorporate gaming-inspired decor like posters, figurines and other collectibles. 

 

2. Will the room be a multipurpose space?

Ask this question early on in the esports design process. While many esports labs are often established in multipurpose rooms, yours might have a designated space. This seemingly minor yet crucial detail can significantly influence the layout and design of the area. 

 

If your lab will serve multiple programs, you’ll have access to more funding opportunities. For example, schools can often apply for CTE grants especially – those related to drafting, IT or cybersecurity – since these programs use similar high-performance computers and technology. Aligning your lab with other curriculum areas not only strengthens your funding opportunities but also ensures the space stays active and valuable throughout the school day.

 

3. How will you fund your esports lab? 

Budget is one of the most important factors to consider when creating an esports lab. Between computers, furniture, networking equipment and design elements, costs can add up quickly. Fortunately, there are several ways schools can offset expenses and make their esports vision a reality: 

• CTE and STEM grants: As mentioned earlier, grants are a great place to start. Because esports often ties into technology, IT and drafting programs, these funding sources can help cover the cost of high-performance computers and shared equipment that support multiple curriculum areas. 

• Local technical colleges: Many technical colleges are eager to partner with K-12 schools and may offer financial assistance, mentorship or even help finance parts of your lab as an incentive to get students interested in their programs. 

• Community sponsorships: Local computer repair shops, internet providers and electronics stores often make excellent partners. They benefit from supporting local schools and building relationships with future tech-minded students.

 

4. How many teams will use the space, and what’s their skill level? 

As mentioned earlier, keeping in mind the users of the lab will be a deciding factor in the final design. This includes thinking about the number of teams and skill levels that are going to be using the space. Some environments may be designed to accommodate just a handful of beginner-level teams, while others may be able to host dozens or even hundreds of expert-level players at once. 

 

It’s also worth noting that different games may require different team sizes. For example, Rocket League uses teams of three while Overwatch 2 uses teams of five. These differences can have a big impact on your overall layout. A flexible, easy-to-rearrange setup can help your space adapt to the most popular games each year.   

 

5. How will the coach actually coach?

It’s a good idea to bring the coach into the esports lab design process early on. Every coach has their own way of running a team, so their input can make a big difference. They might have preferences on where to sit during matches, how close they want to be to players or what kind of setup helps them communicate best. Working together on the layout and furniture placement ensures the space actually supports how the team practices and competes. 

 

That said, one of the biggest challenges schools face right now is finding someone willing to coach. Since esports is still new territory for many, teachers and parents may feel unsure about how to coach a game they haven’t played themselves. The good news? They don’t need to be experts in the game to be effective coaches. 

 

Great coaching in esports is similar to great management – it’s about helping a team work well together, communicate effectively, and develop strategies for improvement. Coaches can rely on tools like aim labs, in-game challenge modes or even classic strategy games like chess to help players strengthen their problem-solving and teamwork skills. Encouraging student mentorship, where more experienced players help guide others, can also go a long way in building confidence and collaboration within the team.

 

6. Will there be a viewing area?

Many esports rooms have a designated viewing section for parents and visitors that may include features like a big screen, a mix of hard and soft seating and more. Here are some key elements to think about when designing your viewing area: 

• Lighting: Keep the viewing area bright enough for comfort but not so harsh that it distracts from the screens. Adjustable lighting works best so you can adjust to the experience. 

• Sound: Some games encourage background noise while others need complete silence. If you plan on having sound from the games playing in the lab, make sure it’s not too loud in the viewing area. Consider using soundproofing materials to minimize noise pollution. 

• Seating: Make sure the seating in the viewing area is comfortable for extended periods of time. Consider providing cushions or pillows for those who prefer softer seating. At WB, we offer a Media Center Workstation Kit – complete with multi-level viewing featuring seating for up to 11 students, parents or other participants. It gives viewers a clear view of the action while giving them a comfortable place to sit.   

• Amenities: Think about providing amenities such as charging ports, Wi-Fi and refreshments in the viewing area to enhance the visitor experience.

 

7. What type of gaming and equipment?

Start by deciding what kind of gaming your program will focus on – console, PC or a mix of both – and whether each will have its own dedicated space. Most esports gaming is done on PCs, with exceptions such as Nintendo Switch games like Super Smash Bros.  

 

The gaming you choose will guide everything else, from the hardware and software to how the room is laid out. Most esports labs include a mix of gaming computers, monitors, and peripherals like controllers and headsets. 

 

In most cases, headsets and controllers are provided by the students themselves, but you’ll still want to include dedicated storage for these personal items, like a place to hang headsets. Having secure and organized storage solutions keeps the space tidy and ensures equipment stays protected between sessions.  

 

Also, don’t overlook infrastructure details like ventilation, internet connectivity and wire management. A room full of gaming machines can heat up quickly, so good airflow keeps both players and equipment running at their best. Since most competitive gaming relies on wired Ethernet connections for speed and stability, plan for extra network ports early in the design process – it’s much easier (and less costly) to add them now than later. Keep in mind, too, that hardwired setups can limit the flexibility and mobility of your arena, so plan your connection points strategically. Using a cable management system will keep everything organized and help prevent tripping hazards.

 

8. What kind of furniture do you need?

To make your gaming space comfortable and functional for players, selecting the right furniture is essential. Here are some key considerations: 

• Gaming chairs are a must-have to provide support and comfort during long gaming sessions. 

• Desks with sufficient space for multiple monitors and gaming accessories are crucial. Our LEET™ Esports Marathon Desk or ELO® Slinger Table are excellent options. If you want to level up your space a little more, consider our Command Hub! This unique piece offers ample storage for all your essentials and ventilation. Learn more about our LEET™ Esports collection. 

• Storage solutions such as our lockers and cubbies can help keep the space organized and tidy. 

• Decide whether your furniture should be stationary or mobile, depending on your preferred setup. We offer both options! 

• Furniture featuring cord management and ventilation for optimal airflow to prevent overheating. Some of our esports furniture already include these options. If it doesn’t come standard, we can customize them to meet your needs. 

To help you avoid the common pitfalls schools run into, we’ve outlined the 5 most common mistakes made when designing esports arenas.

Let’s Unleash Your Gaming Potential 

Creating an esports lab is like building a winning team – it takes careful planning, strategy and teamwork. At WB, we understand what these programs need because we’ve helped schools of all sizes bring them to life. Whether you’re building your first lab or upgrading for a growing team, our LEET™ Esports Collection and custom design solutions can help you make it happen. 

 

Ready to start planning? Fill out the form below to download our Esports Design Guide for ideas, layouts and inspiration to help you create a space that students will be proud to call their home arena.