Major League Gaming sells out Nationwide Arena, $1M first prize

It’s easy to call video games nothing more than a diversion or a cure for boredom, but what was once a niche form of entertainment is now serious business.

We’re talking serious enough to warrant a $1 million prize. And it’s all going down in Columbus this weekend.

Professional gaming organization Major League Gaming is hosting a tournament at Nationwide Arena for popular first-person shooter Counterstike this weekend, with competitive players flying into Columbus from all around the world for the chance to become millionaires.

The truly amazing part: spectators are paying $45 for general admission tickets and $150 for VIP tickets for the three-day tournament, and it’s completely sold out.

Let that sink in for a second. Thousands of people are paying upwards of $50 (with ticketmaster fees) to watch other people play video games.

But in all fairness, Counterstike is known as as a game that requires a high level of individual skill and team coordination, which can lead to some intense moments. Plus, with a $1 million prize (the biggest prize in Counterstrike history), the stakes have literally never been higher.

Whatever your attitudes towards competitive gaming, it’s a good sign for Columbus to be the world’s hub for this event.

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