Nerd Street Gamers Collaborates with EXPO Center to Increase Access to Esports in City and Surrounding Communities

PHILADELPHIA, January 18, 2022– Nerd Street Gamers, the national esports infrastructure company, announced today it is working with EXPO Center, an LA Parks recreational facility, to create an accessible, heightened competitive esports experience for the local community. The expansion comes on the heels of a successful launch in late May 2021.

Nerd Street Gamers, the preferred gaming platform for LA Parks, powered their pilot Rocket League tournament from May to June 2021. The six-week event was held exclusively for EXPO Center participants, ages 13 - 17 via PC, Xbox, Playstation, or Switch. Over the course of six weeks, almost 50 players faced off in a one-versus-one round-robin tournament for a $100 gift card and trophy for the first place winner, as well as a $50.00 gift card and trophy for the second place winner. In addition, all participants received a medal.

Immediately following the tournament, Nerd Street and EXPO Center surveyed parents of participants and received positive feedback. In fact, over 94% of survey respondents stated they would enroll their child in the program again, and over 83% stated that their child now has interest in becoming a professional gamer and/or working in the esports industry.

“Our goal is to provide unique, memorable esports experiences in a competitive environment, so when we partner with an organization we make sure to dive into its surrounding community,” said John Fazio, CEO of Nerd Street Gamers. “Based on our initial LA Parks participant satisfaction survey, we’re confident in the positive impact of this collaboration and thrilled to expand with new programming for the community. As Los Angeles further solidifies its prominent role in the esports ecosystem, we hope to foster the future pipeline of talent by showcasing the various industry opportunities to local youth.”

Based on the partnership’s initial success and due to popular demand, Nerd Street, EXPO Center and other neighboring LA Parks are hosting a second tournament as part of its expanded collaboration. This winter, Nerd Street will power another Rocket League tournament. From January 28th through March 4th at 6:30PM, LA Parks participants, ages 13 - 18, will have the opportunity to play in the six-week tournament. Similar to the first tournament, players will be able to participate in the tournament remotely through compatible devices, including Xbox, Playstation, Switch, and PC. Registration for the tournament will be capped at 48 participants. The tournament winners will receive free hours of gameplay at Localhost, gaming and esports centers owned and operated by Nerd Street, in Fullerton, CA.

“The Nerd Street gamers align with LA Parks mission to provide engaging equitable programs to Los Angeles youth,” said Belinda Jackson, Executive Director of EXPO Center.  “After hearing the wonderful feedback from both parents and kids following the first tournament with Nerd Street,

it was a unanimous decision for us to continue to develop this program . Locally the esports fan base and industry is exponentially growing, and we’re excited to continue bringing accessible competitive opportunities for our youth through this opportunity.”

Los Angeles is a major hub for esports and has a history of strong local gaming communities. This collaboration with LA Parks  will help increase access and lower the barrier to entry to esports across the city among local youth, while providing them new, engaging experiences to connect them in the growing industry.

Los Angeles residents, ages 13 - 18, can learn more about participating in the Rocket League tournament here.

About Nerd Street Gamers
Nerd Street Gamers (Nerd Street) is a national network of esports facilities and events dedicated to powering competitive opportunities for gamers. The company promotes greater access to the esports industry, laying a national framework for esports talent development and high-quality gaming tournaments. Through Localhost, its gaming and esports centers across the country, the company provides opportunities for gamers of all ages and skill levels to participate in esports tournaments, camps, team training, private events like birthday parties, and hourly play for a wide variety of video games. Nerd Street has received backing from Five Below, Comcast Spectacor, SeventySix Capital, Elevate Ventures, angel investor George Miller, and Founders Fund.

For more information, follow @nerdstreet and nerdstreet.com.

About EXPO Center
Located in South Los Angeles, EXPO Center is the largest recreation facility in the city and county of Los Angeles, and is dedicated to offering unparalleled recreational, educational, and cultural programs and services for everyone.  EXPO Center was built through an extraordinary collaboration between private sector funders and the City of Los Angeles to develop the site of the 1932 Olympic Swim Stadium. Managed by LA Parks, EXPO Center has over 60,000 members that live within a 3-mile radius of the facility.  Through foundation grants and other corporate partnerships many of the programs are offered free to the community.

Media Contact:
Olivia Schaller
oschaller@nerdstgamers.com
(609) 351-8493