Game on: Esports championships kick off in Calgary

Bow Valley College is hosting the third annual Alberta Esports Championship this weekend, which will bring more than 400 junior and high school students to play some of the top competitive video game titles. (Pexels/Yaroslav Shuraev)

More than 400 junior and high school students from across Alberta are at Bow Valley College this weekend for the third annual Alberta Esports Championship.

Organizers say the event doubled in size in just one year.

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Teams will compete in popular titles including Rocket League, VALORANT, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate over two days.

“Esports clubs are quickly becoming one of the most popular after-school activities in the province,” said Shadi Hanna, the founder of the Alberta Scholastic Esports League and an esports business management instructor.

This is the second straight year Bow Valley College has hosted the event.

It is the largest tournament held on campus since the college opened its esports arena in September 2024.

“It’s thanks to spaces like Bow Valley College’s Esports Arena that we can funnel that excitement somewhere and build something truly spectacular with it,” Hanna said in a statement.

The tournament kicks off Friday at 9 a.m.

Matches will take place throughout the day Friday and Saturday, concluding with finals and an awards ceremony on Saturday afternoon.