The revamped programme launches this fall with registration opening on August fifth, that includes a brand new Varsity division alongside the present Open competitors format. The 12 months will culminate in a dwell LAN finals occasion through the spring season.
In accordance with the announcement, the programme has been restructured to accommodate completely different aggressive objectives, from informal pal teams to established varsity programmes. The collaboration with NACE introduces stricter eligibility necessities for varsity play, together with devoted on-campus amenities and institutional oversight.
“As Collegiate Esport packages have matured through the years, so have distinctive particular person participant, workforce and college esport program objectives,” Blizzard said within the launch.
Two-Tier Competitors Construction
The 2025-2026 season splits competitors into Open and Varsity divisions. Open competitors stays obtainable to all eligible establishments within the US and Canada, permitting colleges to discipline a number of groups. In the meantime, the brand new Varsity division restricts participation to NACE member establishments with one workforce per faculty.
Fall Homecoming competitors begins in September for NACE Varsity Premier groups, with Nationwide Open play beginning in October. The schedule has been designed to permit colleges to take part in each divisions with out conflicts.
The Fall Homecoming season contains a $42,000 (~£31,500) scholarship prize pool break up between divisions. Nationwide Open groups will compete for $28,000 (~£21,000) via a Swiss stage format adopted by a 16-team single-elimination playoff bracket. Varsity Premier gives $14,000 (~£10,500) via regional group play resulting in a 32-team playoff bracket.
Particulars for the Spring Championship stay restricted, although Blizzard confirmed it should function a LAN finals occasion with $100,000 (~£75,000) in scholarship prizing. Registration for the spring season will open after the Fall Homecoming concludes.
NACE member colleges may also take part in Varsity Plus, a ranked division designed for creating rosters that can’t compete in the principle Varsity Premier competitors as a result of one-team-per-school restriction.
Registration and Participation Particulars
Registration for all Fall Homecoming divisions opened on August fifth. Nationwide Open registration closes on September twenty second, whereas Varsity Premier registration ends September 2nd. All contributors should create LeagueSpot accounts utilizing verified scholar e mail addresses.
Nationwide Open competitors runs from October 2nd to November sixteenth, with matches defaulting to Thursdays. Varsity Premier begins earlier on September eighth and concludes November sixteenth, with Monday because the default match day.
Individuals who full their season in good standing will obtain Overwatch Collegiate participation rewards, together with each returning incentives and new objects.
Colleges thinking about becoming a member of NACE for varsity competitors can submit curiosity kinds via the organisation’s web site. The partnership marks a major funding in collegiate Overwatch infrastructure as programmes proceed to mature throughout North America.
