NASL Grand Finals Venue

Today I visited the Ontario Convention Center to observe the NASL crew set up for NASL Grand Finals. The venue is HUGE. This time, NASL spared no expenses and had spent weeks preparing the production for the finals. As I am typing, the sound engineer is blasting the surround sound with rock music for one last quality check. This experience is nothing like what I had expected...

Hundreds of CHAIRS lined the center of Exhibit Hall B, with the stage front and center. Hanging above the stage are three giant projection screens, dozens of spot-lights, and a ton in speakers swinging precariously midair. Even now the stage is incomplete, the crew has been awfully mysterious about what's left to fill the stage.

A panoramic from the press box (Yes, there's a press box!)

Crew setting up the stage

Stage front and center

Hoisting up a ton in speakers and spot-lights

To the left, behind black curtains, is the production area. NASL essentially moved their whole studio to the venue from Rancho Cucamonga. That's scores of monitors, computer, cameras, and god-knows-what stacking all over this modest space. By the time I arrived, the crew is already busy testing out various highlights and player intros for the finals (and yes, the production has improved) and stress testing the venue ISP.

Production area

Practice runs

Interview/photo shoot area

Player lounge sits to the right of the stage, apparently catering will be available. Player will warm up in an area visible to the audience, with plenty of room around to crowd over and to beg for autographs. Apparently, all the gaming pcs are courtesy of NASL's newest sponsor, IBUYPOWER Gaming PC.

Player warm-up area

PCs courtesy of www.ibuypower.com

Player lounge (with catering?)

Behind the audience located an elevated soundstage, and in its center an monstrous soundboard. There are so many buttons and levers on the giant board that my eyes crossed trying to figure it out. Adjacent to it will locate the merchandise and sponsor booths.

A mile in wiring

The sound stage behind the audience

The monstrous soundboard

Yes, there's a press box/VIP lounge! Here, members of the "press" get to rid themselves of the unwash masses and rest in leather sofa to enjoy an elevated view of the whole show. I wonder if there'll be catering also?

Entrance to the press box

Press box

The NASL Grand Final venue is shaping up beautifully and I have no doubt that it'll be a tremendous success this weekend. Tune in online at www.nasl.tv Friday to Sunday July 8-10, starting 11am Pacific Time (2pm Eastern, 1900 London, 2000 Central Europe, 26:00 Taiwan, 3:00 Korea) and 12pm (3pm Eastern, 2000 London, 2100 Central Europe, 3:00 Taiwan, 4:00 Korea) Sunday. Or visit the finals in person at the Ontario Convention Center, California, exit South off the I-10 on Vineyard, left on Holt Blvd.

Because I been PMed about this several times: Entry tickets are available at door or online, $25 for the whole weekend. NASL will have free LQ stream as always at www.NASL.tv and available in high definition for season 1 HD pass holders. On-site parking is $9/day, but ask the nice parking lady for a weekend pass!