The gaming hub concept
A complete ecosystem around gaming that connects, inspires and develops young people.
A gaming hub is a physical place where young people come together to game, meet each other and develop their skills. A good hub combines free play with programming: tournaments, workshops and masterclasses on streaming, content and event organisation. For municipalities it is a practical way to reach young people that other channels miss: 47 percent of Dutch people game with friends or family (Mulier Institute, 2024), and the Dutch games industry earned €763 million in revenue in 2023 (Games Monitor 2024). Founder Geoffrey van der Vet built up this hands-on knowledge when he helped launch Virtuocity in Doha, the first dedicated gaming hub in the Middle East with room for 250 gamers, and now scales that model to fit the Netherlands. Interested in the business side? Read what a gaming hub costs and how the business case works (in Dutch).
Three pillars
Our gaming hub concept rests on three connected pillars.
GamingHUB
The club feeling. A welcoming, safe space where youth from diverse backgrounds come together around gaming.
- Accessible and inclusive
- A living-room feel with gaming equipment
- PCs, consoles, VR and more
- Programming by and with the community
EsportsHUB
Experience esports together. From viewing parties and tournaments to team development and coaching.
- Viewing parties for major tournaments
- Internal and external competitions
- Team building and coaching
- Lock-in parties and speedrun challenges
TalentHUB
Talent development through gamification. Workshops, masterclasses and hands-on learning.
- Workshops: streaming, coding, content creation
- Masterclasses by professionals
- Event management and presenting
- Partnerships with schools and businesses
How it works
From concept to a working gaming hub in four steps.
Research
A look at the local gaming community: its size, make-up, favourite games and social platforms.
Operational plan
Hardware selection, floor plan, staff training and setting up protocols.
Budgeting
A financial plan covering membership models, sponsorship and grant options.
Launch & growth
Grand opening, ongoing support and fortnightly reviews to keep improving.
Earn-to-play system
Youth receive a basic membership and earn extra hours by participating in workshops and social activities.
Basic membership
Young people get 10 hours of gaming a week.
Workshop bonus
Extra hours for taking part in educational workshops.
Masterclass bonus
Special masterclasses earn the most extra hours.
Frequently asked questions about gaming hubs
What is a gaming hub?
A gaming hub is a physical place where young people come together to game, meet each other and develop their skills. Alongside free play, a good hub runs on programming: tournaments, workshops and masterclasses on streaming, content and event organisation. For municipalities it is an accessible way to reach young people that other channels miss.
What does a gaming hub cost?
The investment depends on location, scale and ambition: a corner in an existing youth centre is a very different project from a standalone venue. The largest items are premises and fit-out, equipment, staff and programming. Our Dutch-language business case guide on the blog walks through every cost item and funding route.
Who is a gaming hub for?
Mainly for young people who are hard to reach through traditional channels. A hub draws a broad group: dedicated gamers, young people who mostly come for the atmosphere, and talent who learn to stream, cast or organise events there. With targeted programming you also serve schools, youth work and prevention goals.
Who runs a gaming hub?
That depends on the model: the municipality itself, a foundation, or existing youth work with trained supervisors. GLHF trains the team, writes the protocols and supports the start-up phase, so the hub can carry on independently. That approach comes straight from hands-on experience with Virtuocity in Doha.
Further reading (in Dutch): the cost and business case of a gaming hub · how a municipality can reach young people
Want to get started?
Drop us a line and we will look at the options together.
Start the conversation