NMAA announces multi-year deal with esports platform

The New Mexico Activities Association announced Feb. 28 the multi-year renewal of its partnership with PlayVS, an e-sports platform for high school leagues in North America.

The renewal will dramatically expand scholastic e-sports access across the state, which has grown this spring season to encompass 97 member high schools and 542 teams since its 2019 inception.

Rio Rancho High School won the first-ever Esports Championships in New Mexico in League of Legends and Rocket League in 2019.

The spring 2024 season kicked off Jan. 29 and will have 10 weeks of gaming, culminating in a three-day in-person championship at the Berna Facio Professional Development Center in Albuquerque. There, students will be crowned as state champions across all eight high school gaming titles offered by PlayVS — each boasting multiple divisions. As a record-breaking 60% of NMAA high schools opt to participate this season, PlayVS and the NMAA are dedicated to providing member high schools with structured, competitive and rewarding e-sports experiences. NMAA holds state championships across PlayVS’ roster of publisher partners including, Activision Blizzard, Electronic Arts, 2K, Nintendo and Psyonix.

Beyond the opportunity to secure a state title, students will gain access to the diverse benefits offered by scholastic e-sports, including the development of enhanced communication skills, strategic problem-solving abilities, and the promotion of digital literacy.

“PlayVS is thrilled to extend our partnership with the New Mexico Activities Association,” said Jon Chapman, CEO of PlayVS. “We take immense pride in New Mexico, where hundreds of e-sports teams have found a safe and competitive outlet to express their school spirit. It’s a testament to our shared commitment to fostering a passion for gaming among students, and we look forward to further empowering the e-sports community in the region.”

E-sports is one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S. with the NMAA at the forefront of embracing its popularity. Broadly, the positive impacts are clear: 90% of e-sports coaches note improved socialization among students, and more than 60% report better grades or attendance. E-sports also removes barriers to student engagement; 45% of participants report that esports was their first experience participating in extracurricular activities.

“As we host our largest season to date with a remarkable 134 teams set to compete in Super Smash Bros.Ultimate alone, we’re thrilled to witness the growth and enthusiasm for e-sports within our schools,” Sally Marquez, executive director of the NMAA, said. “E-sports is more than a competition; it’s a platform for personal and collective growth, and we look forward to celebrating the achievements and camaraderie that will unfold throughout the season ahead.”