The Park Playground, has opened its first Immersive VR franchise in Porto, Portugal.

The Porto venue is the company’s fifth European location and includes a bar and catering, alongside three free-roam fields offering The Park Playground’s full library of original immersive VR experiences.

Opening today (14th June), the new venue sees The Park Playground partner with franchise owners and investors Sérgio Basto, José Carlos Marques, and Miguel Soro.

“Though this industry is a new area of investment for us, The Park’s success across Europe demonstrates the quality and long-lasting appeal of its immersive VR experiences,” says Sérgio Basto, the venue’s lead investor. “We’re confident this kind of cutting-edge entertainment will incentivise global audiences and the broader Portuguese community to travel to Porto for a unique experience.”

Following the success of venues in the UK and Central Europe, the standalone venue provides an opportunity for tourism in Porto, driving new visitors to the area by diversifying the range of experiences on offer.

“Our investors have been invaluable in steering this project in the right direction, providing a wealth of knowledge of the local market and offering guidance on how to address their needs," says Bill Painter, head of franchise at the Park Playground. "This new expansion into western Europe further reinforces the emerging trend of communities increasingly seeking new forms of entertainment, with VR and technology poised to fill this gap in the market”.

The Park Playground is a VR and immersive entertainment specialist and its range of VR social experiences blend technology with human connection. Since its inception in 2018, the group has expanded to 13 cities in four countries with over 50 playing fields.

The Group plans to expand further into Western Europe and beyond.