About
Where Passion Meets Performance
Welcome to UC Irvine Esports!
Unleashing the future of collegiate gaming.
Since Sept. 23, 2016, UC Irvine Esports has broken the mold—becoming the first public-university esports program in the nation. Born from bold ideas, epic teamwork, and a campus teeming with creativity, we turned a dream into the ultimate power-play: a varsity esports program that thrives at the intersection of Competition, Research, Community, and Careers.
Why We’re Legendary
1. Competition
We’re not just here to play—we’re here to win, study, and graduate with honors. Our League of Legends and VALORANT varsity teams don’t just compete—they conquer, supported by coaching, fitness programs, and educational psychology geared for success.
- National titles? check_circle
- Graduation rate north of 94%? check_circle
- Unrivaled in college esports? Double check_circle
2. Research
UC Irvine Esports was built with brains. Campus researchers strategize next-gen gameplay, publish findings, and lead symposia on gaming’s academic frontier. From player psychology to digital communities, we’re pushing esports into uncharted territory.
Connected Learning Lab
Home of high-impact, mixed-methods esports education research and innovation
3. Community
At UC Irvine, community goes beyond campus. We’re building something that connects Anteaters to collegiate gamers nationwide and even the global esports ecosystem.
- On Campus – Students, staff, and alumni call UC Irvine Esports home, whether they’re gaming casually, competing seriously, or streaming content.
- Across Campuses – As one of the first and leading collegiate programs, we’ve inspired and partnered with universities across the country to grow esports at the academic level.
- On the Global Stage – With support from partners like Riot Games, Meta, and Logitech, we’re not just participating in the esports community—we’re shaping its future.
Community at UC Irvine isn’t just about belonging here—it’s about belonging to something bigger.
4. Career
From shoutcasters to arena staff, every year over 50 students power up their résumés right here. With career support, networking, and post-grad success, our alums shine in fields from content creation to engineering—and everywhere gaming meets real-world impact.
Fueled by Legends: Our Partners
Every hero squad has its power-ups—these are ours. UC Irvine Esports is supercharged by some of the biggest names in gaming, tech, and energy. They don’t just back us; they boost us, upgrade us, and keep us at the top of our game.
Logitech G
Our ultimate loadout. From pro-level mice to headsets, they’ve got our clicks, clutches, and comms covered.
Propel Water
Powering the community by delivering enhanced hydration to stay focused, energrized, and ready to compete at the highest level.
Riot Games
The masterminds behind League and VALORANT. We don’t just play their games—we make collegiate history on their stages.
Rockstar Energy
What’s esports without a little fuel? Rockstar keeps our players charged up and ready to grind until GG.
Together, they’re our cheat code—turning UC Irvine Esports into a program that inspires, dominates, and sets the bar for collegiate gaming worldwide.
The Place of Power
The UC Irvine Esports Arena
At the heartbeat of campus lies our 3,500 sq. ft. gaming sanctuary. Equipped with 36 high-end PCs, top-tier Logitech gear, and full shoutcasting and streaming capabilities, our arena is where legends are made (and studied).
Join the Movement
Whether you’re a gamer with a future, a researcher unlocking the next level, or just here for the hype—turn college into an epic with UC Irvine Esports. Sign up, stream in, suit up, and let’s play.
