Earlier this summer, LOTTO MAX Up Close hosted a small group of winners in Toronto for the ultimate VIP experience. The experience? 12 winners were selected on Twitter for an exclusive evening that combined Raptors Uprising GC (Gaming Club) and the legendary NXNE Music & Gaming Festival.
Wait. What’s Raptors Uprising?
Well, you’re familiar with the Toronto Raptors, especially after they secured Canada’s first NBA championship back in June. But, you may not know what the Raptors Uprising is… unless you’re an esports aficionado. Raptors Uprising is the Raptors' esports team in the NBA 2K League — a professional competitive gaming league. Put simply, it's playing the NBA via video game.
The NBA has gone all-in on the esports circuit in recent years.
"From the NBA standpoint, this is our fourth league," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in 2018. "This is the fourth league in our family and that's exactly as we're treating it.”
On Sunday, June 9th LOTTO MAX Up Close was ready to host the small group of winners for their intimate gaming and music experience. The team from Complex was pumped and on the ground as the winners and their guests met near Union Station in downtown Toronto to hop onboard the VIP party bus and head to their first destination. Our friend, Trent Hall (the owner of sneaker haven Exclucity) helped play host as we headed east to Scarborough to the Raptors Uprising residence, a state-of-the-art training facility officially billed as the Bell Fibe House. The house, equipped with top-of-the-line gaming and leisure equipment, also serves as home to the six Raptors Uprising pro players.
The Bell Fibe House is a dream gamers home tricked out with cool tech and serves as the team’s headquarters. It’s a best-in-class training facility for Kenneth (Kenny Got Work) Hailey, Seanquai (KingQuai614) Harris, Joshua (TsJosh) McKenna, Frederick (Doza) Mendoza, Georgio (OOC Slim) Bonte and Gerald (Sick x 973) Knapp, helping them perfect their craft.
Upon arriving at the headquarters, the LOTTO MAX Up Close winners toured the impressive Bell Fibe House, and got to hang out with the team. In between drinks, bites and more than a few laughs, winners got the chance to put their gaming skills to the test and enjoyed 5-on-5 action in the training room in the Bell Fibe House’s high-tech basement. Oh, did we mention the version of 2K that the official leagues play is actually not available to the public – making the day’s gaming experience extra VIP.
Later that evening the winners hopped back on the VIP party bus to take over one of the city’s premier live music venues. The winners got the VIP treatment at The Hideout on College Street as they hung out with the Raptors Uprising team and played a little pool before they had a meet + greet with the upcoming artists performing that night’s NXNE: Club Land music showcase.
The stacked line-up of bubbling-up Canadian hip-hop and R&B artists performing that night included Ceyion, LolaBunz,Sydanie, Haviah Mighty and Ohara. These up and coming Toronto MC’s music had been featured in highlight videos throughout the Raptors Uprising season called the 6ixtape and it all culminated in this amazing night at the Hideout. Check out the 6ixtapes via the Raptors Uprising YouTube channel.
Not too bad for a Sunday night.
Want to get “Up Close” access and elevated experiences at exclusive sports, music and party events happening in Ontario? For more information on how to win VIP access to some of the hottest music, sports and entertainment experiences, visit: LottoMaxUpClose.com.
