A New Hub for e-Sports is Born at Niigata Station South Exit

Niigata Computer College (Location: Niigata City, Niigata Prefecture / Principal: Ryo Tanaka), a member of the NSG Group's Kokusai Sogo Gakuen educational corporation, opened on the 1st floor of the new school building "Iconic Campus" at the south exit of Niigata Station on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, and held a completion ceremony for the "NCC e-Sports Stadium Iconic." In addition to guests and the press attending the ceremony, Mr. Mandy Sekiguchi was welcomed as a special guest. A ribbon-cutting and an exhibition match were held, broadcasting the birth of a new hub open to e-sports education and the local community. ■ An e-Sports Stadium Born at Niigata Station South Exit Niigata Computer College relocated its campus to the "Iconic Building," an office building developed through the "Niigata Station South Exit West District Niigata City Center Excellent Building Development Project," and opened an e-sports facility titled "NCC e-Sports Stadium Iconic" on the 1st floor. The stadium, which can accommodate about 100 people, is fully equipped with a large vision screen, sound and lighting equipment, and 10 player seats equipped with gaming PCs. It is designed not only for use in classes and practical training but also to accommodate the hosting of e-sports tournaments and events. Furthermore, aimed at creating a buzz in the Niigata Station South area centered around e-sports, the facility is prepared for general use, including by local residents and office workers. ■ Scenes from the Ceremony Day The completion ceremony began with a greeting from the school principal, followed by congratulatory speeches from two guests. Mr. Mandy Sekiguchi, who took the stage as a guest, also gave a speech celebrating the completion. Subsequently, a photo session and a ribbon-cutting ceremony were held, bringing the first part to a close. In the second part that followed, an e-sports exhibition match was held. Mr. Sekiguchi, who is also active as an e-sports player, experienced games like "Apex Legends" and "Street Fighter 6" alongside graduates of the school, showing off some powerful gameplay. During the exhibition match, there was also a scene where the school principal and Mr. Sekiguchi played against each other, and the venue was filled with great excitement thanks to the immersive presentation unique to e-sports. ■ A Site of Practical Education Where Students Manage Tournaments Two current students from the school's e-Sports Department were involved as technical staff in managing the ceremony and exhibition match on the day. The students were in charge of operating the large monitor videos, audio, and cameras, supporting the event's progression in an environment just like an actual tournament. The e-Sports Department at our school offers a practical curriculum that focuses not only on acquiring skills as a player but also on mastering skills on the "supporting side," such as tournament management, broadcasting, video, and audio. ■ Comment from the School Principal Niigata Computer College opened in 1985 and established the e-Sports Department in 2019. At the same time, we set up the first-generation e-sports stadium in the Furumachi area, and for about 7 years, we have been working to broadcast e-sports culture from Niigata. Now, while inheriting the initiatives cultivated in Furumachi, we have taken the opportunity of the campus relocation to rebrand the space from its traditional black-based theme to a bright and open space based on white, allowing us to make a fresh start as the new "NCC e-Sports Stadium iconic." We had many guests and members of the press attend today's ceremony, and I have once again realized the magnitude of the expectations placed on this stadium, making me feel deeply responsible. Hoping that the culture of e-sports will take root deeply and lastingly in Niigata, not just as a competitive sport but as something that many people from children to the elderly can enjoy together, I would like to make this a stadium that grows together with everyone. ■ About Niigata Computer College The largest comprehensive IT school in Niigata Prefecture. It produces talent equipped with the IT skills and knowledge needed in the AI, Web, cybersecurity, gaming, e-sports, CG, VTuber, video, and design industries. We have concluded a partnership agreement with "NTT DOCOMO, INC." to establish a 5G environment on campus. To promote the development of talent to support the AI field, we are engaged in advanced education through industry-academia collaboration, such as holding a "Three-Party Collaboration Signing Ceremony for Education in the AI Era" with rinna Co., Ltd. and dott Inc. Kokusai Sogo Gakuen Educational Corporation, Niigata Computer College Location: Iconic Building 2F, 1-1-15-2 Hanazono, Chuo-ku, Niigata City Principal: Ryo Tanaka https://www.ncc-net.ac.jp/ ■ About NSG Group The NSG Group consists of 101 corporations expanding across a wide range of businesses, including health & sports, construction & real estate, food & agriculture, trading, advertising agencies, ICT, hotels, apparel, beauty, human resource services, and entertainment, with education, medical care, welfare, and nursing care businesses as its core.