esports

It pays to belong! This benefit of your YMCA membership unlocks access to a top-tier esports and gaming facility where anyone can explore hundreds of games across the latest and greatest consoles and industry-leading esports-grade PCs. With your YMCA membership, you gain open access to this facility during all member hours — no extra fee, no reservations needed. Non-members can also enjoy the esports lounge for a $10 day pass.  It’s a safe, supervised space that promotes healthy gaming habits, encourages social interactions, and sparks new friendships. Players earn ‘Metro Coins’ through active participation, challenges, and weekly events, which can be exchanged for exclusive prizes ranging from educational courses and gaming gear to merchandise and gift cards. With seasonal updates to games, activities, and rewards the excitement never fades, keeping the gaming experience fresh and rewarding. You can sign up for a YMCA membership from the YMCA Midtown website

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The esports lab operates on a first-come, first-served basis during open member hours, and there is no option to book time in advance.

We provide the latest state-of-the-art gaming consoles and PCs, including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch.

• Equipment: All Metro PCs are equipped with industry-leading peripherals, including a headset, keyboard, mouse, and mousepad.
• Participants can sign in with their own game accounts on PCs or get automatically logged into one of our Metro “house accounts,” available for all gaming titles. Personal PSN, Xbox, or Nintendo accounts cannot be used on any consoles.
• Personal Items: Visitors may bring their own controllers or peripherals if preferred. Note that Metro or the YMCA are not responsible for any damaged, lost, or stolen items.

• Total Stations
  • 15 Gaming PCs
  • 15 Console Stations
• PC Hardware
  • Processor: Intel Core i9-14900F
  • Memory: 32GB
  • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti (16GB)
  • Storage: 2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD
• PC Peripherals
  • Mouse: SteelSeries Aerox 5 Ultra Lightweight
  • Keyboard: Keychron V1 Max 75% Mechanical
  • Headset: Corsair HS80 RGB Wireless
• PC Displays
  • 27″ Acer Nitro ED273U
  • WQHD, 1000R Curved, 180Hz Refresh Rate, 0.5ms Response Time
• Consoles
  • 9 PlayStation 5
  • 3 Xbox Series X
  • 3 Nintendo Switch OLED
• Console Displays
  • Xbox Stations: Hisense 75″ QD7 Series QLED 4K UHD
  • PlayStation Stations: ViewSonic VX3218C-2K, 32″ QHD Curved LCD, FreeSync

Children ages 8 and under must be accompanied by a guardian in the space at all times. Children ages 9-11 may stay in the esports lab as long as a parent/guardian is in the YMCA building. Children 12+ may use the esports lab without a guardian present. There will be staff supervision at all times.

• Monitoring: Constant staff supervision and coaching ensure a safe environment.
• Software and Hardware Safety: We utilize a combination of software and hardware for 24/7 in-game voice and text monitoring, weekly activity reports, and immediate threat notifications for issues like online predators, bullying, hate speech, sexual content, and scams. All PCs are strictly restricted and moderated to ensure all activity is appropriate and within the intended usage of the space. 
• Age Restrictions: Games are age-restricted based on the participant’s date of birth and the game’s rating.
• Health and Safety Protocols: Strict cleanliness standards and emergency procedures are in place. All equipment is sanitized after each use. 
• Background Checks: All staff have undergone Federal background checks, state background checks, and Child Abuse Clearances.

• S.T.E.A.M Learning: Esports fosters the development of technical skills, critical thinking, and creativity, inspiring interests in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. Metro Esports offers a variety of exciting and educational S.T.E.A.M programs, courses, classes, and workshops, including coding, game design, game development, computer building, animation, graphic design, broadcast engineering, content creation, and more.
• Social Development: Esports promotes teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills, bridging social gaps and creating strong bonds among diverse groups. It offers an outlet for team-based competition beyond traditional sports, promoting sportsmanship and a competitive spirit.
• Career Opportunities: The global esports market is projected to reach $3 billion by 2025, offering many career paths in various fields. Engaging with esports introduces children to numerous career opportunities and learning pathways.
• College and Scholarships: Over 200 U.S. colleges offer esports scholarships, totaling more than $15 million annually. In 2021, over 5,000 esports scholarships were awarded, opening doors to higher education for talented students. Collegiate esports programs are offered locally at Midtown Institute of Technology, Midtown Christian University, Nazareth University,  St. John Fisher University, Monroe Community College, Finger Lakes Community College and more. 
• Skill Development: Participation in esports enhances hand-eye coordination, attention, visual acuity, problem-solving and strategy skills, self-confidence, and socialization.

Yes! Join us weekly for special member events, all included in your YMCA membership. Challenge yourself and others in unique tournaments, take part in exciting challenges, and engage in family-friendly activities that offer the chance to ascend the Metro leaderboards. From cozy movie nights and retro gaming to action-packed tabletop nights and racing competitions, Metro also offers monthly events that are seamlessly integrated with our open-access hours, encouraging full participation without the need for prior registration. Just arrive, sign in, and immerse yourself in the joy of shared experiences, with the bonus of winning some awesome prizes!

 Metro offers a variety of coding and game design courses, programs, and workshops through the YMCA. Our interactive programs offer a unique blend of S.T.E.A.M. education, hands-on learning, fun, and social engagement. Each program is designed to guide students through various game design, development, and business principles. Certified by STEM.org, these sessions establish a foundation in tech, fostering critical thinking and creativity. Experienced instructors empower students with skills crucial in the digital age, leaving each session with gained knowledge and an official certificate of completion.

Yes! A unique way to celebrate any big day, our party rental availability turns dreams into reality with a gaming party experience tailored to your interests. Host a birthday bash or any celebratory event in our specialized gaming facility where participants enjoy curated challenges and free play in all their favorite games. You’re welcome to bring your favorite party snacks and drinks and have an exciting party that will be remembered for years to come. Visit https://metroesports.gg/experiences/rentals/ for more info and to inquire!

Metro Sports & Entertainment Group is a digital sports and entertainment media company with a laser focus on leveraging the viral popularity of gaming and esports to attract, engage, entertain, and educate a broad and diverse community of gaming and technology enthusiasts. Metro Esports is a premier destination for esports enthusiasts and gamers, providing a state-of-the-art esports lab experience. We are dedicated to fostering a welcoming, inclusive, and exciting environment where gamers of all ages can come together to enjoy their favorite video games, meet friends, participate in programs, and pursue different S.T.E.A.M. pathways. Our facility features an array of next-gen gaming consoles, Gaming PCs, and dedicated spaces designed to deliver an exceptional gaming experience. Two goals drive us: to create access and build bridges. We create access by understanding how to engage all demographics within the gaming space, then leverage that knowledge to craft experiences that welcome them and cultivate their talents. We build bridges by harvesting those communities’ passions for esports to introduce them to the power of careers in STEM. We then help them gain the skills needed to enter those fields. 

We offer:

• Weekly events and programs, included in YMCA membership
• Open-access hours, included in YMCA membership
• Community Events, included in YMCA membership
• Classes, courses, and workshops in Game Design, Game Development, and Game Business
• Esports tournaments, leagues, clubs, and teams
• Summer Camps, Day-Off School Camps, and seasonal camps