‘NYC Collegiate Esports Circuit’ Launches in New York City to Expand Offerings into City’s Digital Games Industry

NEW YORK – February 9, 2026 – 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.

“We are proud to support the Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment’s digital games initiative and excited to work alongside city, higher education, and industry partners to expand access to competitive and career-connected esports opportunities. The NYC Collegiate Esports Circuit reflects what’s possible when institutions collaborate to support students and the city’s growing digital games ecosystem.” – Video Game Amateurs Founder, Brandon Henriquez

“The City of NY is proud to support Video Game Amateurs in launching the first-ever NYC Esports Collegiate Circuit—a tournament open to college students across CUNY, SUNY, and private schools that will culminate with finals at the NYC Video Game Festival in May. Beyond competition, this initiative is designed to help build pathways to jobs in esports, game development, broadcasting, and the broader digital gaming economy. This new circuit is another example of how public-private partnerships are positioning NYC as a global hub for the digital games industry.” – NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment Associate Commissioner, Workforce, Education & Policy, Alia Jones-Harvey

"SUNY is on the move and we are proud to offer exciting and innovative opportunities for our students to excel in emerging sectors, including esports. SUNY schools throughout New York State offer a wide range of degrees and programs to support our students as they seek to earn degrees and launch careers in the booming gaming and esports industry. I commend the SUNY teams participating in the inaugural tournament for this new esports initiative." – SUNY Chancellor John King Jr.

“CUNY is proud to support the Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment and Video Game Amateurs for the inaugural collegiate Esports circuit. For students in the league, including eight teams from across CUNY, the circuit offers an exciting new opportunity to meet and compete with fellow gamers and discover pathways to meaningful careers in New York’s growing gaming industry.” – CUNY Chancellor Félix V. Matos Rodríguez

"Brooklyn College is excited to participate in the first ever New York City collegiate esports circuit thanks to the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment alongside Video Game Amateurs. Our esports student athletes have been hard at work preparing for strong competition amongst their peers. We can't wait for the opportunity to demonstrate the value of that effort and for them to represent CUNY at the highest level." – Brooklyn College Esports and Gaming Director Alexander K. Raff

“The NYC Collegiate Esports Circuit represents the kind of experiential opportunity we champion at Pace. Our esports program has become one of the University’s most successful and fast-growing student initiatives, offering students a chance to compete, excel, and build real-world skills. We’re especially proud to see Julia Cardillo, our Director of Esports, playing a leadership role in this exciting citywide initiative.” – Pace University President Marvin Krislov

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.