PlayVS Enters Eighth Year of Competition With 25 State and Regional Partners

Nine organizations renew agreements with PlayVS, reinforcing a shared commitment to the continued growth of scholastic esports

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- PlayVS, the leading scholastic esports competition platform in North America, today announced that it will enter the 2026–27 school year working alongside 25 state and regional partners. The milestone reflects eight years of collaboration with organizations committed to expanding access to esports and establishing it within the trusted framework of school-based sports and activities.

Ahead of the new season, PlayVS has also renewed agreements with nine of those partners:

• Arkansas Activities Association
• Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference
• Hawaii High School Athletic Association
• Kentucky High School Athletic Association
• Maine Principals' Association
• Massachusetts School Administrators' Association
• Oregon School Activities Association
• South Carolina Scholastic Esports
• Virginia High School League

Several of these relationships date back to the earliest years of PlayVS and have helped shape the foundation of scholastic esports nationwide. Through their continued leadership and support, state and regional partners have helped schools introduce structured competition, create meaningful opportunities for students, and gain broader recognition for esports within their communities.

PlayVS has also worked alongside the NFHS Network since the company's launch. As a foundational national partner, the NFHS Network has helped PlayVS build relationships with state associations, open doors in new states, and introduce scholastic esports to more school communities across the country. Its support has played an important role in the continued growth and recognition of esports as a school-based activity.

"Scholastic esports has reached this point because trusted education, activities, and athletics organizations were willing to lead alongside us," said Charles O'Donnell, Head of Partnerships at PlayVS. "The renewal of these agreements reflects years of shared work, honest collaboration, and a sustained belief in what esports can provide for students. We are proud of the foundation we have built together and remain focused on earning that trust in every season ahead."

Since launching its first official season eight years ago, PlayVS has worked with state associations, regional organizations, schools, and educators to create accessible and sustainable esports programs. These partnerships have enabled PlayVS to support students across diverse communities while giving schools the structure, resources and competitive experiences needed to build programs designed to last.

The 2026–27 season represents both a continuation of that work and an opportunity to build upon it. PlayVS will remain focused on supporting its partners, strengthening the experience for participating schools and creating more opportunities for students to compete, connect and represent their communities.

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About PlayVS

PlayVS is North America's leading scholastic and collegiate gaming platform, helping students unlock the educational, social, and personal benefits of competitive gaming. The company brings together students, coaches, educators, and schools through structured, education-aligned competition and curriculum across K-12 and college. PlayVS is the official esports partner of the NFHS Network, the Special Olympics, and state and regional organizations across the U.S. To learn more, visit playvs.com.

SOURCE PlayVS