Amazon subsidiary live streaming video platform Twitch has announced a partnership with the Oakland Raiders for their upcoming move to Las Vegas, Nevada next season. The National Football League franchise has traditionally played in Oakland, California, hence their Oakland Raiders name. However, the team will play in the Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada in the next season.
Twitch partnership
With this partnership, the new Allegiant Stadium will feature a lounge with Twitch branding. The lounge will feature stations for customers to stream from, viewing screens to watch games, esports tournaments, and other “future Twitch events.”
“At Twitch, we are constantly looking for new ways to engage with our community online and [in real life]. Being a founding partner at Allegiant Stadium is a perfect opportunity for Twitch to converge our passionate gaming and live esports community with the world of traditional sports,” said Sara Clemens in a statement, who is the Chief Operating Officer at Twitch. “As part of our long-term vision for multiplayer entertainment, we are excited to elevate the spectator experience at live events in the heart of the Entertainment Capital of the world.”
The Twitch-branded lounge will “elevate the spectator experience for Raiders fans” and bridge the connection between “fans in the stadium” and “at home,” writes Oakland Raiders President Marc Badain. The esports competitions will allow both brands to host real-world events and turn Las Vegas into a hub for esports. Fans of the Raiders team will also be able to interact through their love for football and esports.
Oakland Raiders in Las Vegas
The RingCentral Coliseum has been rated for years as one of the worst stadiums in the NFL. Therefore, after Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis succeeded his father, he made this a top priority. He attended a Las Vegas secret meeting in 2015 to suggest the idea of moving the team over. A vote that required three-quarters of NFL owners agreeing to the move was passed in 2016. Thirty-one of the teams agreed to the move, with only the Miami Dolphins rejecting it.
It was announced that the Raiders would play the 2020 NFL Season at the Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada. In addition, the 2020 NFL Draft would be held in Las Vegas with the Raiders helping collaborate with Las Vegas officials. The Oakland Raiders will still occupy the RingCentral Coliseum for the 2019 season, though. The Allegiant Stadium will be completed in 2020 and host the Pac-12 Championship Game, Las Vegas Bowl, concerts, and UNLV football along with the Raiders. It will also create 6,000 jobs in Southern Nevada and generate $620 million annually.
