TL;DR
- ExceL Esports establishes Europe’s first major stadium training facility at Twickenham
- Organization transitions from gaming house model to professional work environment
- Facility includes competition-simulating scrimmage rooms and athlete amenities
- Team maintains London base while competing weekly in Berlin’s LEC studio
- Backed by significant investment following last-minute LEC slot acquisition
ExceL Esports has secured an unprecedented partnership with Twickenham Stadium, establishing their 2019 training headquarters within one of Europe’s most iconic sports venues.
The British organization, fresh from its selection for the rebranded LEC (previously EU LCS), marks a significant milestone in esports infrastructure development by utilizing a traditional sports facility.
Located in southwest London, this fourth-largest European stadium boasts an impressive 82,000-seat capacity and represents a groundbreaking crossover between conventional sports and competitive gaming environments.
ExceL’s strategic decision to abandon the conventional gaming house approach reflects a growing industry trend toward professionalizing player environments and establishing clear boundaries between competitive and personal spaces.
“This facility enables competitors to adopt a professional mindset during training sessions while preserving essential personal recovery time,” explained Joel Holmes-Darby, ExceL’s director of esports. “The psychological benefits of separating work and living quarters cannot be overstated for athlete performance and longevity.”
The advanced training complex incorporates professional-grade amenities including dedicated fitness facilities, nutritional catering services, and specially designed practice rooms that replicate the pressure and atmosphere of professional tournament stages.
These competition-simulation environments are engineered to acclimate players to high-stakes match conditions, reducing performance anxiety during actual competitive events. The facility’s design philosophy prioritizes both physical conditioning and mental preparation through environmental controls and professional support systems.
While LEC matches continue at Riot Games’ Berlin studio, ExceL maintains its operational headquarters in London, implementing a sophisticated travel schedule that balances competition requirements with optimal training conditions.
The organization has developed a systematic weekly travel protocol, flying the entire team from London to Berlin for official matches before returning to their advanced training facility for preparation and skill development sessions.
ExceL’s LEC participation followed an unexpected league restructuring that saw the British organization replace initially announced teams in a last-minute roster adjustment.
Following a substantial September 2018 investment from Guinevere Capital, the team now possesses both the financial backing and infrastructure necessary to establish itself as a serious contender within Europe’s premier League of Legends competition circuit.
Action Checklist
- Evaluate traditional sports venues for training facility conversion potential
- Design competition-simulation environments matching professional tournament conditions
- Implement professional athlete support systems including nutrition and fitness facilities
- Develop travel logistics plan balancing competition schedules with training requirements
- Establish clear work-life separation protocols for player mental health and performance
No reproduction without permission：Games Guides Website » Pro League team to train at one of Europe’s biggest stadiums ExceL Esports pioneers professional training at Twickenham Stadium with innovative player-focused facilities