Belong Gaming Arenas are physical esports venues where you pay to use high-end gaming PCs, consoles, and tournament setups
Belong Gaming Arenas are brick-and-mortar locations run by Belong, a UK-based esports company. You book a gaming pod or arena space by the hour, show up, and play on their equipment. The venues stock gaming PCs, PlayStation consoles, Xbox consoles, and VR setups depending on the location. You're paying for the hardware, the internet connection, the physical space, and sometimes coaching or tournament entry.
Unlike an internet café where you rent a computer to work or browse, Belong Arenas are built specifically for competitive gaming and esports training. The PCs are high-spec machines with graphics cards and processors built for current games. The internet is low-latency, which matters for online multiplayer. Some locations host regular tournaments with prize pools, and some offer coaching from professional players or esports organisations.
Belong operates locations across the UK. Each arena is independently run, so the exact games available, pricing, and services vary by location. You book online or by phone, arrive at your booked time, and the staff set you up at your pod or arena.
Key Takeaways
- Belong Gaming Arenas rent gaming PCs, consoles, and VR equipment by the hour at physical locations across the UK.
- Pricing varies by location and time of day, but typically ranges from £10 to £30 per hour depending on the equipment and whether you're booking during peak or off-peak times.
- You book in advance online or by phone, and most locations require you to be at least 13 years old, with under-18s needing parental consent.
- Some arenas host tournaments, offer coaching, and run esports training programmes, though these services are not available at every location.
- The equipment and game library differ between locations, so you should check what's available at your nearest arena before booking.
Booking a session and what to bring
You book a Belong Gaming Arena session through their website or by calling the location directly. Most arenas let you choose your time slot up to several weeks in advance, though availability depends on how busy that location is. Peak times (evenings and weekends) fill faster and may cost more than off-peak daytime slots.
When you arrive, bring a valid form of ID and payment method. Most locations accept card and cash. If you're under 18, you'll need a parent or guardian's consent form, which you can usually read from the Belong website or fill out on arrival. Some locations ask you to sign a terms-of-use agreement that covers conduct rules and liability.
You don't need to bring your own equipment. The arena provides the PC, console, headset, mouse, keyboard, and controller. If you have your own peripherals you prefer (a specific mouse or keyboard), ask the staff whether you can plug them in — most locations allow this.
Pricing and what affects the cost
Belong Gaming Arena pricing is set by each location, not centrally, so costs vary. A typical hourly rate ranges from £10 to £30 depending on the equipment tier and time of booking. A standard gaming PC pod during off-peak hours might cost £12 to £15 per hour, while a premium PC or a private arena during peak evening hours could cost £25 to £30 per hour.
Some locations offer discounts for block bookings — if you book 5 or 10 hours in advance, you may pay a lower per-hour rate. Birthday parties and group bookings sometimes have separate pricing. Tournaments and coaching sessions are usually charged separately from arena rental and may have entry fees or coaching rates that differ from hourly pod rental.
Check the pricing page for your specific location on the Belong website, as rates change seasonally and by location. Some arenas run promotions during school holidays or offer student discounts if you show a valid student ID.
Equipment and games available at different locations
Belong Arenas stock different equipment depending on the venue size and local demand. Most locations have gaming PCs running Windows with titles like Counter-Strike 2, Valorant, League of Legends, Fortnite, and Apex Legends. Many also have PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X consoles with games like FIFA, Call of Duty, and Rocket League.
Some larger arenas have VR setups, private tournament arenas with larger screens and team seating, and dedicated coaching spaces. Smaller locations may only have standard gaming pods. The game library is usually determined by what's popular locally and what the location's licence agreements allow.
Before you book, visit the Belong website and check the specific location's page to see which games and equipment they have. If you want to play a specific title, confirm it's available at that arena — not every location stocks every game.
Tournaments and competitive play at Belong Arenas
Many Belong Gaming Arenas host regular esports tournaments for games like Counter-Strike 2, Valorant, League of Legends, and Rocket League. These are typically open to anyone who books a spot, though some may have skill-level divisions or age restrictions. Prize pools vary from small cash amounts or gaming vouchers to larger prizes at bigger events.
Tournament entry fees are separate from arena rental and usually range from £5 to £20 per person depending on the prize pool and game. You book your tournament spot through the Belong website or by contacting the location directly. Some tournaments are single-elimination, others are best-of-three or league-format depending on the game and how many people enter.
Tournaments are usually held on specific evenings or weekends. Check the events calendar on the Belong website or your local arena's social media to see what's coming up. Some locations also run seasonal leagues where you play multiple matches over several weeks and accumulate points toward a final ranking.
Coaching and esports training programmes
Some Belong Gaming Arenas offer one-on-one coaching or group training sessions with esports coaches or professional players. These sessions focus on game-specific skills like aim, positioning, decision-making, and team communication. Coaching rates vary by location and coach experience but typically range from £30 to £100 per hour.
A few locations run structured esports training programmes — multi-week courses where you attend sessions regularly and work toward specific skill milestones. These programmes may include arena time, coaching, and access to training materials. Pricing and structure differ by location, so contact your nearest arena to ask whether they offer this.
Coaching is usually booked separately from arena rental time. You can book a coaching session alone or bring a friend to share the cost. Ask the location whether coaching includes arena rental or whether you pay for both separately.
Age requirements and parental consent
Most Belong Gaming Arenas require you to be at least 13 years old to book a session. If you're under 18, you need written parental or guardian consent. Many locations provide a consent form on their website that a parent can sign and bring with you, or you can complete it on arrival with a parent present.
Some locations have specific rules about unaccompanied under-16s — they may require a parent to be present or may not allow bookings during certain hours. Check your local arena's age policy before booking, as rules vary by location.
If you're booking for a group of young people, contact the arena in advance to confirm they can accommodate you and to understand any supervision or consent requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to bring my own gaming setup or can I use theirs?
You use Belong's equipment — the PC, console, headset, and controllers are provided. You don't need to bring anything except ID and payment. If you have a preferred mouse or keyboard, ask the staff whether you can connect your own peripherals; most locations allow this.
What happens if I book a time slot and can't make it?
Cancellation policies vary by location. Most allow you to cancel or reschedule up to 24 hours before your booking with no charge. Cancellations within 24 hours may forfeit your payment or charge a cancellation fee. Check the specific location's cancellation policy when you book.
Can I bring friends and share a booking?
Yes. You can book a private arena or multiple pods and invite friends to join you. Group bookings sometimes have different pricing. Contact the location to ask about group rates and whether they can seat your group together.
Are there food and drink options at the arenas?
Most Belong Gaming Arenas have a small café or vending machines with snacks and drinks. Some allow you to bring your own food and drink. Check your local arena's policy, as rules differ by location.
How do I find the nearest Belong Gaming Arena to me?
Visit the Belong website and use their location finder to see all UK arenas, their addresses, opening hours, and contact details. You can also call or email a location directly to ask about their current equipment, pricing, and availability.