The NBA 2K League is moving on up to a new borough.
After spending its first two seasons in Long Island City in Queens, the competition will be moving into a new facility in Manhattan for the 2020 season. The NBA 2K League will occupy a 13,600- square-foot space at 508 West 37th St. with a capacity of 200 people.
The location and size aren't the only things changing about the studio, however, as the entire venue will be upgraded for the league's third season. Along with larger screens for fans to take in the action and a mic'd-up stage to showcase more of the bigger personalities within the league, there will be the Bud Light VIP Lounge, a streaming pod for guest streamers and an additional studio for content capture.
"Every season we seek to elevate the NBA 2K League experience for players, fans and viewers, and we are taking a major step in that direction with our new Manhattan studio," said NBA 2K League managing director Brendan Donohue. "This unique space will further establish the NBA 2K League as a world-class esports product and make the league more engaging and accessible to casual and hardcore fans alike."
In 2019, T-Wolves Gaming took home the league championship by besting 76ers Gaming Club in a best-of-five final, winning the climactic fifth game 52-35. Michael "BearDaBeast" Key of T-Wolves Gaming was awarded Finals MVP following a 23-point, six-assist performance in the clinching game.
Last weekend at Terminal 5 in New York, the NBA 2K League held its annual draft where 68 players were selected to join one of its 23 franchises. Jack Mascone was selected No. 1 overall by Wizards District Gaming of the 229 eligible candidates to be drafted. The Gen.G Tigers of Shanghai, the league's newest franchise and the first to be operated outside of North America, drafted Dhwan "ShiftyKaii" White as their first player in franchise history.
The NBA 2K League's third season tips off Tuesday, March 24, with The TIPOFF powered by AT&T at the NBA 2K League Studio. Weekly regular-season matchups at the NBA 2K League Studio will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Each team will play a total of 16 regular-season games.