UCLA Opens Bruins Esports & Gaming Lounge Presented by Alienware in Ackerman Union
State-of-the-art facility brings top-tier gaming access and community to UCLA students
LOS ANGELES — UCLA Recreation is proud to announce the opening of the Bruins Esports & Gaming Lounge Presented by Alienware, a next-generation gaming space located on the A-Level of Ackerman Union.
Operated by UCLA Recreation, the lounge will officially open on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, following the opening ceremony at 3:00 pm PST. The celebration will feature remarks from campus leadership and representatives from Alienware and Team Liquid. Attendees will enjoy giveaways and free access to the new space.
Designed for both casual and competitive gamers, the state-of-the-art space will host campus tournaments, classes, intramural esports, watch parties, student club meetups, and workshops. Rooted in UCLA Recreation’s evolving mission to provide high-quality recreational experiences for the campus community, the lounge expands opportunities for collaboration, skill-building, and professional development in one of the world’s fastest-growing industries.
“UCLA and Alienware each represent innovation, excellence, and community—and together, we’re creating something truly special,” said Monroe Gorden Jr., Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. “The Bruins Esports & Gaming Lounge Presented by Alienware isn’t just a space for gaming—it’s a dynamic hub for connection, creativity, and wellness. I look forward to joining our students on opening day to celebrate this exciting milestone.”
The development of the Bruins Esports & Gaming Lounge Presented by Alienware was made possible through a multi-year partnership between Alienware, Dell Technologies’ iconic gaming brand, UCLA Recreation, and ASUCLA, and marks a major milestone in expanding digital recreation opportunities at UCLA.
“Leveling up in a big way, this marks our 7th Alienware Collegiate Lounge and the very first on the West Coast,” said Matt McGowan, Head of Product at Alienware. “Partnering with one of the nation’s top universities allows us to drive esports innovation forward, giving students pro-level access to the best gaming technology. With Los Angeles set to host the 2026 Global Esports World Finals, this lounge is feeding right into that momentum.”
Outfitted with 30 high-performance Alienware PCs powered by 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i9 processors and NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4070 graphics cards, the lounge delivers ultra-smooth gameplay for top esports titles like VALORANT, Overwatch 2, and Marvel Rivalsas well as high-definition performance for modern AAA titles. Console gamers can enjoy three stations equipped with PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch 2, plus a full set of rental controllers.
Open to the public, the lounge will operate under the following hours:
- Monday – Friday: 12 PM – 10 PM
- Saturday: 12 PM – 8 PM
- Sunday: 12 PM – 7 PM
Modified hours may apply during University holidays. The lounge will remain open during Spring Break, and close during the Winter Holiday closure.
