There will be a new championship in Mississippi this school year.
The Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) has announced that eSports will become an officially sanctioned state championship beginning in the 2022-2023 school year.
“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,” MHSAA Executive Director Rickey Neaves said. “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.”
In 2019, the MHSAA adopted eSports as an official activity. By 2021, eSports participation had grown by more than 40% year-over-year. During this past season, the MHSAA formalized a partnership with the Outlets of Mississippi and ePlex to host statewide events while also renewing its contract with PlayVS, a platform dedicated to powering varsity eSports.
“PlayVS’s continued partnership with MHSAA will unlock significant opportunities for high school students passionate about eSports across the state of Mississippi,” Chris Black, who oversees strategic partnerships for PlayVS, said. “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.”
Esport champions will be crowned in Mississippi during both the fall and spring. The deadline for schools to enroll is September 16.
