GameStop Opens Tournament Center

GameStop has announced the opening of its first combined store and "tournament center" in San Jose, California.

The location is 4,000 square feet in size, larger than standard GameStop operations, and the first in a planned series of "tournament stores" to be opened across the U.S. The new operation will debut with a Madden NFL 08 tournament, with new local events following on most weekends and GameStop "system-wide tournament finals" taking place at least once every quarter.

GameStop is the largest videogame retailer in the world, with over 5,000 stores across the U.S. and 16 countries around the world, and also controls the EB Games chain of stores. "This world class facility takes GameStop stores and videogame tournament opportunities to the next level," said GameStop CEO Dan DeMatteo. "With these continued efforts, we are offering customers another way to get the most out of their gaming and are truly giving power to the players."

The inaugural Madden NFL 08 tournament will take place on December 15, from noon until 4 p.m., with the winner receiving a $1,000 shopping spree at GameStop. Participants will be admitted on a first-come, first-served basis.