This article was originally published on GameSpot's sister site onGamers.com, which was dedicated to esports coverage.

　　Major League Gaming (MLG) has announced a custom built arena to showcase year round competition

　　In the press release, MLG states that the 14,000 square foot venue will serve as the setting for MLG's premier competitions and will deliver the same experience as its Pro Circuit events but in a more intimate setting. The Arena will supposedly feature bleacher seating for hundreds of spectators, sound proof booths, a broadcast platform for commentating, video screens and a warm up area for professional players. MLG states that the arena will serve as the backdrop for MLG.TV programming after the MLG Call of Duty: Ghosts Pro League Season 3 Playoff finals.

　　“MLG’s mission is to promote eSports globally through premier competition and to deliver premium gaming content to viewers anytime, anywhere through our global streaming platform – MLG.tv,” said Sundance DiGiovanni, MLG Co-Founder and CEO. “With the MLG.tv Columbus Arena, we now have a flagship venue built to showcase the best as we continue to expand our global footprint.”

　　The New York based company will be launching the arena in Columbus, Ohio and hopes that the arena will complement the MLG Pro Circuit, the MLG Studio in New York City and the upcoming MLG Stadium in China (2017 expected). The inaugural event the new Columbus venue will be the playoffs for third season of the MLG Call of Duty: Ghosts Pro League on the 24th to the 26th of October. The Playoffs will feature eight Call of Duty teams duke it out for a $75,000 prizepool ($30,000 first place).

　　“Columbus has hosted some of our most successful events to date,” said Adam Apicella, EVP MLG Properties. “With 62 colleges in the Columbus region, hundreds of thousands of university and high school students in the 11-county area, and close proximity to our audience on the East Coast, Columbus is a great location for our MLG.tv Arena. We look forward to hosting the best players in the world and continuing to collaborate with the passionate community at OSU and their eSports initiative – ESI, as well as those throughout Ohio and beyond.”

　　Tickets for the Season 3 playoffs will go on sale on the 26th of September, 5pm Eastern Time via the MLG Online Store and the eight teams that will be competing will be determined on the 8th of October. Current standings can be viewed on MLG's website.

　　You can read the full press release here.

　　Image credits: Major League Gaming