College esports is stepping into the spotlight again as Blizzard Entertainment brings back Overwatch Collegiate for the 2025 to 2026 academic year. And this time, they are not holding back. The publisher has partnered with the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) to introduce a new two-tiered competition structure, with more support, clearer divisions, and over $140,000 in scholarship prize money up for grabs.
For student gamers across the United States and Canada, this marks a thrilling new chapter. Whether you're grinding late nights in dorms with your squad or representing your varsity program with school colors on your back, this season has something for you. And yes, it all builds up to a massive LAN finals event in the spring.
The competition officially kicks off this fall. Registration is now open as of August 5, with matches starting as early as September. Two major divisions will define the structure of the season: National Open and Varsity Premier. While the Open format allows any eligible institution to enter multiple teams, the Varsity Premier division is reserved for official NACE member schools with only one team allowed per institution. This approach balances both community-level participation and elite-level structure, making the path to glory accessible and competitive.
Blizzard is calling it a redesigned experience meant to reflect how college esports has evolved. From casual squads to fully-funded varsity teams with campus facilities and coaches, the program now recognizes the full spectrum of collegiate esports development.
The Fall Homecoming season will launch the new format with a $42,000 prize pool split between the two divisions. Open division teams will fight for $28,000, competing in a Swiss format leading to a single-elimination playoff. Varsity Premier teams will compete in regional play followed by a 32-team bracket for a share of $14,000.
That is just the warmup. The Spring Championship is where things get serious. It culminates in a live LAN finals event, offering an additional $100,000 in scholarships. If you are a varsity player looking to make a name for yourself or just someone who dreams of taking a game from the dorm room to the stage this is your shot.
Blizzard and NACE are also offering a Varsity Plus tier, allowing schools with growing programs or secondary teams to get ranked experience, even if they cannot compete in Varsity Premier. This ensures more players get access to competitive infrastructure and more schools get the chance to build up their rosters long term.
Key registration deadlines are already on the calendar. Open division sign-ups close on September 22, while Varsity Premier registration wraps up earlier on September 2. Participants will need to use verified student emails to create accounts on LeagueSpot to compete.
Match schedules have been streamlined too. National Open games will be played weekly on Thursdays from October 2 to November 16. Varsity Premier starts earlier, on September 8, with matches on Mondays, wrapping up in mid-November.
And yes, participation comes with in-game rewards too. From exclusive cosmetics to returning fan favorites, Blizzard is rewarding students who complete their season in good standing.
For any school looking to join NACE and become eligible for Varsity Premier, the sign-up process is open on the NACE website. With this new collaboration, Blizzard is not just reviving a program. It is investing in the long-term future of collegiate Overwatch across North America.
This is not just an esports season. It is the start of something huge. A structured, scholarship-backed system with real stakes and real progression. A place where college gamers can turn their passion into recognition, competition, and opportunity.
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Ready up. School is in session. And this year, Overwatch means business.
