The Lobby Powered by Sky Broadband: Why this is an important step for the women in gaming community

Guild and Sky Broadband have launched The Lobby, a project designed to champion women in the gaming and esports landscape. More than just a programme, The Lobby represents a comprehensive approach to creating meaningful opportunities within the Sky Guild Gaming Centre, offering a dedicated series of in-person events, activities, and online competitive tournaments specifically tailored for women.

Created by the community, for the community

Danielle 'Ebonix' Udogaranya captures the initiative's core philosophy perfectly: "Initiatives like The Lobby Powered by Sky Broadband are vital because they don't just create space - they affirm that we belong here. Representation isn't just about being seen or being treated as a tick box exercise; it's about being celebrated, empowered, and given the tools to thrive."

For Eneni Bambara-Abban, founder of Anime & Chill UK, The Lobby stands out for its intentional community-building approach. "By engaging directly with the UK gaming community and responding to their needs," she explains, "Guild and Sky Broadband are fostering a sense of both belonging and empowerment. Creating spaces like this is essential to breaking down the barriers that have historically excluded women from fully participating in the gaming and esports world."

The initiative spans multiple gaming disciplines, creating opportunities across different levels of engagement. Grete Lajal, Guild Esports sim racing pro and winner of the Women’s Esports Finals Powered by Sky Broadband, highlights the particular impact on competitive gaming. "It's great seeing more and more women getting into sim racing," she shares, "and the friendships that are forming here are amazing. The coaches at Guild have really helped me level up with their support."

Esports & gaming presenter Frankie Ward emphasises The Lobby’s versatility. "Whether it's gathering a community of women who simply want to get together and chill with their favourite game, or see women raise the stakes by competing against the best in esports tournaments, The Lobby is where women are given a chance to thrive."

The Lobby goes beyond traditional approaches to diversity in gaming. It offers competitive tournaments, community-building events, skill development workshops, and a supportive network designed to nurture and celebrate women in gaming. By providing structured opportunities and a dedicated space within the Sky Guild Gaming Centre, The Lobby aims to ignite an underserved community in the UK.

As the gaming landscape continues to evolve, initiatives like The Lobby prove that true inclusion is about creating meaningful, sustained opportunities that empower women to excel, connect, and reshape the industry from within.

To stay up to date with The Lobby and attend live events, register your interest here.