A new esports initiative, the NYC Collegiate Esports Circuit (NYCCEC), has officially launched, offering the first-ever competition open only to CUNY, SUNY and New York State private schools. The initiative is hosted by Video Game Amateurs (VGA), a NYC based digital games agency, and sponsored by the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME). The competition will feature an in-person qualifying round, March 14 at OS NYC in Manhattan, and a final event at the City of New York’s second-annual NYC Video Game Festival (NYCVGF) in May. Registration is now open at the NYCCEC website.
To oversee NYCCEC standards, guide program growth, support student career pathways, and ensure alignment across participating institutions, Video Game Amateurs assembled the NYCCEC Board of Collegiate Directors which includes:
- Brandon Henriquez (Founder, VGA)
- Ivan Gaton (VGA)
- Johnson Scoggins (ECAC Representative)
- Alexander Raff (Director of Esports, Brooklyn College)
- Julia Cardillo (Director of Esports, Pace University)
Participation in the NYCCEC is open to teams currently representing SUNY, CUNY, and eligible private New York State colleges that compete within the ECAC or CUNY collegiate leagues. Teams qualify for the circuit through a points-based system that counts results from up to three official matches, including league play and the in-person NYCCEC qualifying event on March 14, with top-performing teams advancing to the finals.
The launch of the NYCCEC and the return of the NYCVGF come as VGA, CUNY, SUNY and the City of NY work to build a strong local workforce to support the city and state’s burgeoning digital games industry. Other recent efforts made by the City of NY and the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment include the Minecraft Education Battle of the Boroughs Esports Competition in partnership with NYC Public Schools; a $2 Million investment in the first-ever Bachelor’s Degree program in Digital Game development at CCNY; and the commissioning of the first-ever NYC Digital Games Industry report, detailing specifics on the sector’s contribution to NYC’s economy. The report found that esports generates $4 million annually in tourism spend in New York City and that global esports revenue was $947 million in 2020. The esports sector now offers new career opportunities and flexibility for a broad range of interests and ages.
ABOUT THE NYC COLLEGIATE ESPORTS CIRCUIT (NYCCEC):
The NYC Collegiate Esports Circuit (NYCCEC) exists to unite colleges and universities across New York City and New York State through inclusive, competitive esports opportunities. NYCCEC fosters talent, community, and innovation through seasonal tournaments, career development, and live showcase events that spotlight NYC as a hub for collegiate esports.
ABOUT VIDEO GAME AMATEURS (VGA):
Video Game Amateurs (VGA) is a New York City based agency building the infrastructure for scholastic and community gaming. VGA designs and operates esports leagues, live events, and educational programs that connect students from middle school through college to competition, creative careers, and real-world opportunities. Working closely with schools, nonprofits, colleges, and city agencies, VGA creates safe, structured pathways that turn gaming into a platform for learning, teamwork, and career development.