Students from Across Texas to Compete at Esports Stadium Arlington This Weekend During Inaugural High School Esports State Championship

By Susan Schrock, Office of Communication

Posted on April 27, 2023, April 27, 2023

More than 500 students from across the state will compete this weekend in the first-of-its-kind Texas High School Esports State Championship at Esports Stadium Arlington.

The inaugural state championship this Friday and Saturday is presented by the Texas Scholastic Esports Federation, a teacher-run nonprofit organization whose mission is to make esports an accessible, inclusive and equitable path to college, career and military readiness for all Texas students.

Individual and team participants in the event, which is free and open to the public to attend, will compete for medals and the title of undisputed state champion in League of Legends, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Rocket League, Valorant and Overwatch 2. Arlington ISD’s Martin High School Warriors Rocket League are among the teams competing for top honors.

Danielle Johnson, Texas Scholastic Esports Federation executive director, said participating in esports clubs or teams can help students to make friends, become more engaged in their classes and campus activities, and build valuable skills that translate to college and career readiness.

“It connects an entirely new group of students to their school. About 80% of students that are on their school esports teams have never been involved in anything else at school before,” Johnson said. “Now they are connected. We see a lot of students who find their friends group in esports. They have the same elevated attendance rate as UIL athletes.”

The City’s state-of-the-art Esports Stadium Arlington opened at 1200 Ballpark Way in 2018 and hosts major esports tournaments and related events year-round. The 100,000-square-foot dedicated esports stadium, which features 90-foot LED displays and other equipment designed for spectator gaming events, is an ideal location for the Texas Scholastics Esports Federation’s event, Johnson said.

“We wanted the spectacle of holding this championship at Esports Stadium Arlington. The kids will get to play on the stage where their favorite players play,” she said. “We’re excited!”

Other events during the action-packed weekend include the Intel Inspires Educational Esports Summit for Texas teachers and a Student Leadership Workshop and College Recruiting Event hosted by the National Association of Esports Coaches and Directors for the esports competitors.

“This event is about celebrating the teachers who volunteer their time to keep their kids connected through esports and for the kids who have found their place through esports,” Johnson said.

The Texas Scholastic Esports Federation said the event has been made possible by its sponsors, including Zowie, BenQ Education, Esports Spectrum Industries, Generation Esports, Texas Army National Guard, Lanfest, Lenova Esports and Esports Trade Association.