The Ireland Esports Collegiate Series has always been about community, competition, and creating opportunities — but this year, we’ve taken a major step forward.
For the first time ever, the 2025/26 Series introduces a Premier Division - a national, high-performance tier built to mirror First Team sport on campus.
Built on top of the existing competition, which is now called the Open Division, this is varsity-level esports with national exposure, structured rankings and institutional pride on the line.
Why the Premier Division Matters
The Premier Division brings a new layer of structure to collegiate esports in Ireland:
Top-tier competition — One Premier team per university, per title
Full academic year — Winter & Spring semesters with continuous standings
Weekly live broadcasts — Monday to Thursday, 8PM, on Twitch & YouTube
In-Person National Finals — May 2026 clash for the island’s best teams
Official recognition — Designed to sit alongside 1st XV rugby, football and other top varsity sports teams
It’s the clearest signal yet that esports on campus isn’t just growing — it’s maturing.
Who’s Competing?
The launch of the Premier Division has triggered the broadest spread of top-tier collegiate teams we’ve seen in eight years — with students stepping up across all four game titles:
Valorant | Rocket League | League of Legends | Counter-Strike 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
ATU, DCU, Maynooth University, Queens University Belfast, SETU, TU Dublin, Trinity College, University Ulster, UCC, UCD | ATU, Maynooth University, Queens University Belfast, SETU, TU Dublin, Trinity College, University Ulster, UCD | ATU, DCU, Maynooth University, Queens University Belfast, SETU, TU Dublin, Trinity College, UCD | ATU, DCU, Maynooth University, Queens University Belfast, SETU, TU Dublin, Trinity College, UCC, UCD |
Seven universities are competing in all four titles, fielding a full-strength Premier rosters across ATU, Maynooth University, Queens University Belfast, SETU, TU Dublin, Trinity College and UCD. That’s closely followed by DCU entering three of the four titles. UCC and Ulster University round out the field having entered two titles each.
This signals a major shift. Institutions are beginning to Build depth across multiple games, not just one dominant title. We’re seeing stronger internal coordination, with Societies and Student Reps working together to form First Teams.
And perhaps most impressively, ATU — which did not have an active society last year — is now one of the six with teams in every Premier title. A clear sign that with the right structure, rapid growth is possible.
A New Level of Broadcast
The Premier Division isn’t just about the players — it’s about the viewer experience too. Each night, a featured Game of the Round receives full broadcast treatment:
Quality production
Expert and community casters
Multi-cam overlays
Play-by-play and analysis
It’s all designed to showcase student talent — not just on the server, but behind the scenes too.
The crew includes former students casting, past Collegiate players, alumni and experienced Irish creators — all gaining real-world experience in a professional environment.
Built for Institutional Backing
This structure isn’t accidental. It’s designed to help universities recognise and support esports teams in a way that’s sustainable and aligned with traditional sport.
We’re already seeing:
Campus hubs established at SETU and most recently Queens University Belfast
Cross-campus collaboration to build 1st Team rosters
Conversations with Student Services and Sports Departments about official recognition
“This isn’t just an esports tournament. It’s a developing shift in how institutions see gaming on campus. We’re giving universities the structure and incentive to back their teams — and give players the stage to represent their institution with pride.”
What’s Next?
The Premier Division is only just getting started.
As the season unfolds, we’ll be working closely with our network of Student Reps to raise visibility on campus, celebrate the stories behind each team, and follow their journey toward the LAN National Finals in May 2026 — where the best of the best will compete for the island’s top honour in collegiate esports.
For players, this is a unique opportunity to represent their university on a national stage — not just online, but in front of live crowds and streamed broadcasts.
For institutions, it’s a turnkey model for boosting student engagement, building reputation, and recognising high-performance activity beyond traditional sport.
And for Ireland, this Premier Division marks the creation of a national performance foundation — one that aligns with the global rise of esports and opens up new pathways to the world stage, including the Esports Olympics on the horizon.
Crucially, the opportunity extends far beyond players. The Series is a launchpad for future talent across:
Broadcast & production
Coaching & performance support
Event ops & league management
Content creation & casting
Mental health & player care
This is how Ireland builds a sustainable esports ecosystem — one that starts in the lecture hall and can finish on the international stage.
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