2026 CECC MAY MADNESS FIELD SET WITH 91 QUALIFYING TEAM ENTRIES COMPETING FOR NATIONAL TITLES IN WACO, TEXAS
College esports’ biggest stage to feature top programs from across
the country May 1–3 at the Waco Convention Center
STAMFORD, Conn. – May 1, 2026 – Ninety-one qualifying team entries representing more than 50 colleges and universities will compete for national titles at the 2026 Collegiate Esports Commissioner’s Cup (CECC) May Madness, the nation’s largest collegiate esports championship event, May 1–3 at the Waco Convention Center in Waco, Texas.
Produced by Collegiate Sports Management Group (CSMG), CECC May Madness has grown into the national postseason destination for collegiate esports, bringing together conference champions, national qualifiers, rising programs, and elite student competitors across Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Rocket League, Overwatch, VALORANT, NBA 2K, and more.
Teams will compete for CECC National Titles in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Rocket League, Overwatch, VALORANT, NBA 2K, and more, with one team or player in each title crowned national champion.
“Qualifying for CECC May Madness is a major achievement for these programs and student competitors, and this year’s field shows the continued growth of collegiate esports across the country,” said Angela Bernhard Thomas, Chief Esports Officer at CSMG. “We are excited to welcome 91 qualifying team entries representing more than 50 colleges and universities to Waco for an incredible championship weekend.”
Much like championship weekends in traditional college athletics, CECC May Madness represents the culmination of a full competitive year, with teams advancing through conference championships, regional tournaments, open qualifiers, and national qualification pathways. The field includes conference champions, national qualifiers, rising programs, and elite student competitors representing the depth and continued growth of collegiate esports.
More than 2,000 student competitors are expected in Waco for three days of live competition, championship moments, school pride, campus culture, sponsor activations, and career development programming. The event will also host the PlayVS College League Spring Championship on-site, while the Texas Undisputed High School Championship will showcase the next generation of esports talent alongside college programs.
Championship Week officially begins today with Thursday Night Lights at Baylor University’s McLane Stadium, a high-energy opening ceremony featuring live entertainment, showcase competition, student mixers, and a celebration of the schools, players, coaches, and communities powering collegiate gaming.
The 2026 CECC May Madness qualifiers include:
Akron – VAL
Hawaii – VAL
Quinnipiac – OW
Akron Gold – RL
Houston – SSBU
Radford – SSBU
Arcadia – OW
Houston Clear Lake – SSBU
Rutgers – VAL
Arizona State – OW
Houston Downtown – SSBU
San Jose State – SSBU
Ball State – RL
Idaho State – RL
San Jose State – VAL GAME
Ball State – VAL
Illinois State – OW
San Jose State – VAL VARS
Baylor – OW
Illinois State – SSBU
Seton Hall – RL
Baylor – RL
Indiana Tech – RL
Southern New Hampshire – OW
Baylor – SSBU
Iona – SSBU
Southern New Hampshire – RL
Baylor – VAL
Kansas – OW
Southern New Hampshire – SSBU
Blinn – OW
Kennesaw State – RL
Stony Brook – SSBU
Briar Cliff – OW
Kennesaw State – VAL
Stony Brook – VAL
Bryant & Stratton VA – OW
Kent State – OW
Syracuse – RL
Cal State Long Beach – SSBU
Lubbock Christian – RL
Texas A&M – OW
Cleveland State – OW
Lubbock Christian – SSBU
Texas A&M – VAL
Cleveland State – VAL
Manchester – SSBU
Texas Tech – OW
Columbia College – VAL
Michigan Tech – SSBU
Uni South Florida – SSBU
Columbia College – RL
Mount Aloysius – RL
UT Arlington – RL
Converse – OW
Nelson – SSBU
UT Arlington – SSBU
Converse – VAL
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M – VAL
UT Dallas – RL
Cumberland – OW
Northern Arizona – OW
UT Dallas – SSBU
Cumberland – RL
Northern Arizona – RL
UT Dallas – VAL
Davenport – RL
Northern Illinois – RL
UT Dallas – OW
Davenport – VAL
Northwood – OW
Virginia Tech – VAL
DePaul – SSBU
Northwood – RL
Winthrop – RL
Fairfield – VAL
Northwood – SSBU
Winthrop – SSBU
Fisher – OW
Northwood – VAL
Wisconsin-Madison – VAL
Fisher – RL
Oakland – SSBU
Fisher – SSBU
Oklahoma Christian – RL
Fisher Navy – VAL
Pace – VAL
Tickets for CECC May Madness 2026, starting at $10 for an all-day pass, are available at:
https://tickettree.us/events/cecc-may%20madness.
Fans can also watch live on the official CECC Twitch channel:
https://www.twitch.tv/esportsu. Coverage runs Friday and Saturday, May 1–2 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. CST, and Sunday, May 3 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST.
Partners for this year’s event include ASUS, Cisco, Baylor University, Crit Apparel, Esport Supply, Extron, eBliss, Gamerplug, Legends Global, PlayVS, TexSef, TPID, Urban One, Verum, Waco Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the Waco Convention Center.
About CSMG
Collegiate Sports Management Group (CSMG) is an integrated sports, entertainment, and media company committed to advancing traditional sports and esports. The company has expertise in Media Rights, Analytics, Licensing, Sponsorship Sales, Brand Building, Original Content, and Event Production. We empower sports properties, brands, and video game publishers to succeed at the crossroads of tech, sports, entertainment, and video games. Through innovation, efficiency and execution, CSMG has created transformative opportunities, driving growth in traditional sports while unifying and elevating the scholastic esports ecosystem. To learn more, visit us at https://collegiatesmg.com/.
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Contact:
Carmine N. Tiso for CSMG, csmgnews@collegiatesmg.com or 917.453.4296
