How to Organize an Esports Tournament for Students

Well, you are contemplating hosting a gaming tournament for students? That’s awesome!

What you are about to experience is a world of excitement, strategy, and a couple of stressful moments (It is normal, just figure it out).

If you’re new to the world of Esports or have already spent some time playing and watching the games, a tournament is a perfect activity to make students gather and flex some gaming muscles.

So here is a simple, step by step tutorial to guide you.

1. Choose the Right Game

But before anything else, you have to choose a game. So to say this isn’t about your favourite game it’s what the popular kiddo likes. League of Legends, Fortnite, and/or cs

Are always big hits. Ensure the game is simple to set up, and most crucially, students can play without a NASA computer.

PRO-TIP: Take requests from the students as to what they wish to play. You may get a surprise when they all scream “Fortnite!” at once.

2. Set the Rules (And Stick to Them!)

First you get the game, now you set the rules. Choose Your Tournament Format: Will it be single elimination, or perhaps something a bit more forgiving, such as double elimination?

The students must understand what is on the line otherwise no one on earth will enjoy a tournament that devolves into a lawless wild west.

You should also consider how to deal with technical issues. I shit you not, 1 person’s internet will drop mid-game. Have a backup plan!

3. Pick a Venue or Go Online

If you are doing this in person, choose a venue that is spacious, provides good Wi-Fi and plenty of power outlets.

You would not want students literally brawling for the last open plug like the last slice of pizza.

If you are hosting this type of session online, ensure that everyone has the proper equipment and a reliable connection. No one likes a laggy game!

Fun fact: The amount of Wi-Fi you’ll need is roughly equivalent to feeding an army of hungry gamers.

4. Plan Your Budget

Now, onto the money part. When your purse is tight (and, let us be honest, who does not have the tighter purse?) Simply put, you are going to make it easy.

Consider what you might require: prize money, trophies, and perhaps some snacks (gamers get the munchies). If you want to go the fancy route, you can try to find sponsors to help cover costs, just don’t promise them the moon!

Pro tip: You don’t need a huge prize pool. Students will play for the glory, and bragging rights.

5. Get the Word Out

Promotion time for your tournament! Use Social Media — Instagram, Discord or just good old fashion posters in the hallway of the school.

This is the secret – it has to sound fun and exciting. Maybe even some savage memes of this being the “greatest tournament of all time” or “the war for eternal school glory.”

Do it well in advance — This should be minimum 2-3 weeks before the event. Nobody enjoys preparing for an event at the last minute, much less when it involves scheduling teams of players!

6. Set Up Your Tech and Admin Team

To run the entire show, you will require a few helpers. Find some people, and make a team of registrations, brackets, and score keeping help.

Also, you will instantiate a couple of techy who are well knowledgeable for if ya matches go kaput.

Ensure they have some clues or else you will be running around on fire (not literally come to bath vintage we hope!)

7. Let the Games Begin!

So when the big day arrives, have everything ready. Be organized with the schedule, have the teams signed up and make sure your Wi-Fi is actually working (a little important).

As a final note, do not forget to remind the players to have fun, and remind them to play fair. And if someone goes on a rage, just repeat: “It’s just a game… right?”

Bonus tip: Get A Commentator or Host to Keep It Fun and Energetic this is going to make it much more entertaining for players and viewers alike.

8. Award the Winners

Dispense prizes; a trophy, cash prize, or simply eternal school yard fame to the victor at the end of the tournament. Give it a vibe because these kids just busted their asses.

And there you have it! While it can be a hassle to put on an Esports tournament, it is also very rewarding.

Just remember to keep it simple, stay organized and most of all enjoy it! After all, it’s not really about winning; it’s the friends we made along the way (and the head shots)

Good luck, and May the best team win!