Esports provides a unique opportunity to engage students who already enjoy gaming but may not participate in traditional extracurricular activities. Many students are naturally drawn to Esports as a way to connect socially and represent their school.
In addition to being fun, Esports offers tangible benefits, including:
Teamwork & Leadership
Strategic Thinking & Tactics
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Computer & Technology Skills
Communication & Social Skills
Graphic Design & Media Skills
Yes and no.
Like traditional sports, Esports requires dedication, teamwork, and regular practice to succeed. Many teams hold tryouts, practice consistently, and learn the rules and strategies of their games to compete at a high level.
However, Esports is more accessible. There are no physical requirements to participate, making it inclusive for students of all abilities. In fact, this inclusiveness is one of Esports’ greatest strengths.
Most competitions are played online, reducing the need for travel compared to traditional sports. That said, WSSEA hosts exciting in-person championship events that bring students together to compete face-to-face.
Official matches are typically held at 4:00 PM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, though you should check the current season schedule to confirm. Each game has a designated day, so if your school participates in just one game, you’ll only have matches once a week.
Matches are designed to last about an hour. Additional practice time is optional but recommended to help your team succeed.
WSSEA chooses games based on a lot of factors. We want to choose games that are popular with the student populations. We also have an eye for games that have direct paths to college Esports opportunists, including scholarships. Each season (Spring, Fall) will have several games for students to choose from. We do not allow is any games that are rated Mature or higher by the ESRB.
Check the current season page to see what games are currently offered.
Costs vary based on your setup, but here’s a general breakdown:
Equipment Costs - TSome games run on older computers and are free to play (e.g., Rocket League). Others may require specific consoles, games, or subscriptions (e.g., Super Smash Bros. Ultimate requires a Nintendo Switch, game copy, and online subscription). Often, students or staff may volunteer personal equipment to help offset costs.
Coaching/Staffing Costs - Your school may need to designate or hire a coach. Costs depend on district policies, though some coaches are volunteers.
WSSEA League Fee - We charge a yearly fee based on your school’s enrollment size. Some seasons, such as our Winter offerings, are free for all participating schools. You can view pricing here.
In many cases, Esports is among the most affordable extracurricular activities schools offer. In fact, some schools report spending more on lawn care than they do on successful Esports programs!
Yes, students must:
Sign a Code of Conduct agreeing to positive behavior that reflects school and WSSEA expectations
Maintain passing grades in all core classes to compete
WSSEA does not charge students directly to participate. However, some schools may require students to purchase an ASB card or meet other school-specific requirements.
You can fill out our Feedback Form, or you can email info@wssea.games. You can also join one of our monthly meetings, where you can ask your questions directly. Request to join our next meeting by emailing info@wssea.games.