On Friday, some of the top gamers in the world will be in Raleigh for an international esports tournament.
The ESL One Raleigh 2025 tournament is projected to rake in up to 2.5 million in economic impact for the area.
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Twelve teams are competing for $1 million in prizes at the Raleigh Convention Center.
They'll be playing the game "Dota 2" in what organizers said is the first tournament of its type in North America in a decade.
“It was a big get to back to the U.S. and to get it to Raleigh,” Visit Raleigh’s executive vice president Loren Gold told WRAL News.
This week’s tournament was previously held in Singapore, Thailand and the U.K.
Fan Meghan Coyle flew from New York to see the tournament.
“It's definitely very special. We haven't had that many North American majors. This is a big deal. Hopefully, we see more North American tournaments coming after this,” she told WRAL News. “It's the community. When you play online, you don't get to see everybody you're interacting with. When you go out, you see 'Oh my God, these people all play the same video game with me.' You can only get that at a gaming tournament.”
WRAL News asked Gold how Raleigh could attract gamers from all over the world. He pointed the Triangle’s “ecosystem” of gaming companies like Epic Games and colleges invested in the growing sport – including Wake Tech, NC State and William Peace University.
“The end goal is to continue to work with those private sector partners and academic partners to try to bring talent and keep it in our own backyard,” Gold said.
Gaming fans cheered on their favorite teams -- as well as enjoyed interactive booths, cosplay and more fun. The three-day tournament will continue through Sunday.
Fans can purchase tickets here.
Raleigh will host two other major tournaments in May and June.