Mississippi State University’s esports program is set to receive a new dedicated facility, following an announcement at the organization’s final town hall meeting of the semester on April 24, marking a major step forward for the rapidly growing student organization.

At the meeting, MSU Esports president Benjamin Maier, a junior aerospace engineering major, revealed that the program will move into a new space on the third floor of the Mitchell Memorial Library, a project supported by the Bagley College of Engineering.

“I communicated our demands for a space to be beneficial for us, but also beneficial for the general student body,” Maier said.

The announcement comes as MSU Esports continues a period of competitive success and growth, including its third consecutive Esports Egg Bowl victory over the University of Mississippi during the fall semester.

According to David Ford, the dean of the Bagley College of Engineering, the idea for a new facility developed as the program outgrew its current location in Butler Hall.

Ford said he first recognized the need for expansion after visiting the team’s existing space housed within the Department of Computer Science and Engineering.

“It became very clear to me that their enrollment, their interest level and their number of members were increasing very, very quickly,” Ford said. “That space, at some point, was not going to be adequate for them anymore.”

At the same time, the Mitchell Memorial Library was exploring ways to repurpose underused space, leading university officials to identify a third-floor area as a potential home for esports.

Currently, the Bagley College of Engineering is working to secure donor funding to transform the currently empty area into a functional esports facility.

“That’s going to be a seven-figure project,” Ford said. “What we’re basically looking for is to raise funds from donors in order to build out the facility.”

He added that the project is a high priority for donor support within the college.

Preliminary plans include a dedicated, enclosed gaming area alongside shared study and advising spaces.

Ford said that the design may feature a visible lounge area with screens displaying gameplay and windows looking into the space, allowing passersby in the library foyer to view into it.

Inside, the facility is expected to include high-performance computers, console gaming areas, designated practice and competition zones, a trophy display and a potential broadcast space.

“It’s going to be a combination of fun and high-tech,” Ford said.

While the space has been identified and initial plans have been drawn up, a firm timeline for completion has not been set.

Ford said construction could begin as soon as donor funding is secured and estimated the facility could be completed within the next two years.

“If the money came in tomorrow, we would start tomorrow,” Ford said.

As the organization prepares for the transition, Maier is also preparing to end his term as MSU Esports president. He said the announcement represents more than just a new facility, but the continued growth of the esports community at MSU.

“My time as president was special, but it was not special for my own efforts,” Maier said. “It was about the community that I have invested in. I might be gone in two years, but the organization will keep going.”