Dear Coaches and Administrators:
As we enter the most exciting stretch of the season, with state championships upon us, I’m continually inspired by the energy and passion of our students, coaches, and administrators. Thank you for all you do to build a community that supports and empowers so many students.
Looking ahead to the 2026–2027 school year, we remain focused on the continued growth of scholastic esports and want to share a few important updates as you plan for the year ahead. Over the past several years, PlayVS has expanded access to esports programs, enabling thousands of schools to deliver meaningful competitive experiences. We share your belief in the positive impact esports has on student engagement, skill development, and school communities, and we remain committed to supporting that growth.
As participation grows, we are investing in our platform, league operations, and our team that supports schools every day to ensure a high-quality, safe, and reliable experience. To support this continued investment and support a more sustainable long-term model, we are introducing several updates to our league structure. We are sharing this now to ensure you have ample time to plan and budget for the transition.
Updates for PlayVS Regional Leagues
For schools participating in PlayVS regional leagues (those operated exclusively by PlayVS without a state association or other partners) there will be no participation costs for esports competition during the Fall 2026 season. Beginning with the Spring 2027 season, we will transition to a shared-cost, membership-based model for our competitive leagues to support continued network investment and maintain program quality.
The membership fee for the Spring 2027 season (beginning February 2027) will be as follows:
High Schools: $495 if paid by November 30, 2026 | $595 thereafter
Middle Schools: $295 if paid by November 30, 2026 | $395 thereafter
We are committed to providing accessible esports experiences for all schools, regardless of budget. This fall, we will announce additional details regarding the Spring 2027 season, which will include scrimmages, no-cost tournaments, and other free-to-play features we continue to explore.
Updates for State Association or Partner Leagues
For the 2026–2027 academic year, schools that compete in state association or other partner leagues will not incur participation costs for esports titles offered through those leagues, unless otherwise specified by the state association or partner organization.
Beginning with the 2027–2028 school year, we will introduce a shared-cost subscription model for these leagues, with additional details to be shared in advance to support planning.
For more information on 2026–2027 leagues, please visit the PlayVS Help Center articles below:
Registration for the Fall 2026 season is now open for all schools, and we encourage you to secure your spot early as you plan for the upcoming year.
We recognize this update represents a change for many schools, and we are committed to working closely with you as you plan for this transition. We are grateful for your continued partnership and for the role you play in creating meaningful opportunities for students through esports, and we look forward to continuing to build a strong, sustainable future for scholastic competition together.
Thank you again for your continued collaboration and leadership. If you have any questions, our team is here to help at info@playvs.com.
Best regards,
Jon Chapman
CEO, PlayVS