For the upcoming school year (2022-2023), eSports will become an officially sanctioned state championship for MHSAA-member schools with champions being crowned during both the Fall and Spring league seasons.

“Adding to our slate of state championships always excites us because it shows the growth in participation among our member schools and students throughout the state,” said MHSAA Executive Director Rickey Neaves. “Our eSports program has grown very quickly, and we deeply appreciate the support across the state and with our partners PlayVS and the E-Plex located at the Outlets of Mississippi. We look forward to continued growth and success of eSports.”

The 2019-2020 school year marked the inception of eSports as an MHSAA activity, and participation during the 2021-2022 school year grew by more than 40% year-over-year. During the past season, the MHSAA formalized a partnership with the Outlets of Mississippi and the ePlex to host state-wide events and renewed its partnership with PlayVS.

“PlayVS’s continued partnership with MHSAA will unlock significant opportunities for high school students passionate about eSports across the state of Mississippi,” added Chris Black, who oversees strategic partnerships for PlayVS. “One of the foundational reasons our partnership has been so successful is our shared belief in the power and accessibility of esports – it is for every student. We are continuing to take leaps forward as we open the pathway for more students to compete, grow and be recognized in partnership with the MHSAA.”

For this Fall, eSports enrollment deadline is September 16. Schools may contact Keith Warren with the MHSAA ([email protected]) for more information or use the following link/QR code to register: https://www.playvs.com/mississippi