Iwate Prefecture's First eSports Facility "PLAY HUB KITAKAMI" Celebrates Its Grand Opening in Kitakami City! Becoming a Local Hub Starting From Gaming

On Saturday, May 9, 2026, the general incorporated association Iwate eSports Union celebrated the grand opening of PLAY HUB KITAKAMI, the first eSports facility in the prefecture, located in Saiwaicho, Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture.

Iwate Prefecture's First eSports Facility! "PLAY HUB KITAKAMI" Celebrates Its Grand Opening in Kitakami City

北上市に新たに誕生するeスポーツやデジタルコンテンツのコミュニティスペース「PLAY HUB KITAKAMI」のロゴが完成！

〜遊ぶ、チャレンジする、そして繋がる〜

2026年5月オープン💁#北上市 #eスポーツ pic.twitter.com/bGKEQWnITr

— PLAY HUB KITAKAMI (@PLAYHUBKITAKAMI) April 3, 2026

On Saturday, May 9, 2026, Iwate Prefecture's first eSports facility, PLAY HUB KITAKAMI, opened in Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture!
This facility is located on the first floor of a multi-purpose apartment building near Kitakami Station.
It serves as a new base, combining a competitive play space and a community space for interaction and learning.

Becoming a New Base for eSports: Iwate's First "PLAY HUB KITAKAMI"

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This newly opened facility features 5 permanently installed high-spec gaming PCs.
The sponsoring company, the PC brand Pasoul, provided the PCs.
In addition to large monitors, the facility is also fully equipped with accessibility controllers so that even people with physical disabilities can enjoy playing.
With a well-prepared play environment, everyone can enjoy competing on the same stage!

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Furthermore, this facility is planned to be utilized not just as a mere place to play games, but also for hosting tournaments, programming classes, and as a place for interaction among local residents.
It is expected to be utilized by becoming a local hub starting from eSports.

The Opening Event Was a Huge Success! Matchups and Talk Sessions Filled with Excitement

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To celebrate the opening of the facility, events were also held on Saturday, May 9, and Sunday, May 10, 2026.
Matchups for games such as Street Fighter 6 and Puyo Puyo were held.
In addition, during the talk sessions, interactions took place under the themes of "Revitalization of eSports in Regional Areas" and "Changes in BTO and Gaming PC Sales."
While the eSports scene is concentrated in Tokyo and major metropolitan areas, the eSports communities in regional cities are showing new prospects.

"PLAY HUB KITAKAMI" is having its grand opening in Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture.
Details of the facility can be checked from the official website.
If you live nearby or are visiting on a trip, please be sure to stop by.