Looking forward to three events in the next two weeks, the College Rocket League scene is kicking off with a bang.
With school back in session, collegiate esports returns as national leagues start their competitive seasons. College Rocket League starts the semester off with some LAN action and much to look forward to.
Two events kick off this weekend: the Great Lakes Gaming Convention and the Blue Turf Invitational at Boise State. Both of these events will include Rocket League tournaments as a headline piece of their competitions.
Great Lakes Gaming Convention
First up, the Great Lakes Gaming Convention is a massive two-day gaming and esports convention held at the Dow Diamond in Midland, Michigan on September 26-27.
With a collegiate and scholastic Rocket League tournament, this convention gives opportunity to college students and students (ages 13-18) a chance to compete and win scholarships at Saginaw Valley State University.
The collegiate tournament will feature many Collegiate Rocket League teams, competing for a $5,000 prize pool.
Teams competing in the Great Lakes Gaming Convention College Rocket League tournament:
- Cumberland University
- Fanshawe Student Union
- Indiana Tech
- Lesley University
- Lubbock Christian University
- Mount Aloysius College
- Northwood University
- Shawnee State University
- St. Clair College
- University of Akron Blue
- University of Akron Gold
- University of Florida
- University of Tennessee
- Waukesha County Technical College
With one more collegiate event, the convention will also host a Super Smash Brothers Ultimate collegiate crews bracket.
The convention will also feature many other events, such as a singles bracket for Super Smash Brothers Ultimate, a Mario Kart World tournament (Saturday only), and an MLB The Show 27 tournament (Sunday only). Each of these tournaments includes a prize pool.
To find out more information, follow the Great Lakes Gaming Convention on social media or check out their website.
Blue Turf Invitational
Second, the Blue Turf Invitational is hosted at Boise State University and sponsored by Lenovo Legion. With this tournament as part of the Lenovo Legion and Intel All Access Tour, Boise State University will kick off the action as the first stop on the tour.
Similar to the Great Lakes Gaming Convention, the tournament will take place this weekend, September 25-27 in Boise, Idaho.
With many Collegiate Rocket League teams and challenges approaching, the tournament will feature a $25,000 prize pool, including the chance to win new laptops and a bunch of Leveno Legion gear.
Teams competing in the Blue Turf Invitational College Rocket League tournament:
- Boise State University
- Syracuse University
- Baylor University
- Michigan State University
- Maryville University
- University of Texas at Dallas
- Rutgers University
- Grand Canyon University
- North Dakota University
- University of Idaho
- Idaho State University
- Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
- Columbia Basin College
The Lenovo Legion and Intel All Access Tour is a mobile gaming roadshow that travels across the country to colleges, high schools, and multiple gaming conventions, allowing students to game, try out new hardware, and compete in tournaments.
With the Lenovo Legion and Intel All Access Tour beginning at Boise State University, the tournament will help conclude the tour after being there for a full week.
To catch the action live, follow Boise State’s Twitch and social media for updates about the event.
Alienware Collegiate Clash 2027
Last, but not least, the Alienware Collegiate Clash 2027 makes its return for the third year in a row, with their feature game being Rocket League.
With the event taking place in Miami, Florida at Florida International University for February 18, 2027, the first set of qualifiers for the tournament begins on October 8-9, 2026. The second group will take place on December 3-4, 2026.
After the qualifiers, the top eight teams from each qualifier will advance to the event in Miami. With $30,000 up for grabs in Alienware and partner products for the top three teams, the competing teams will also play to win the Alienware Collegiate Clash trophy.
For more information and how to register for the tournament, visit the Oversight Esports website and social media.
$50,000 National Collegiate Esports Showdown
Another action-packed and anticipated event was the Future Play festival, planned to take place in Peoria, Illinois from October 3-4, 2026. With the event being postponed to April 24-25, 2027, the decision was based on low ticket participation and feedback from other universities about the short window from the beginning of the semester to the event.
The event will pivot to an online format on October 3-4, with Garden State Esports streaming and producing the event, separate from the Future Play festival.
Keep up to date with all the events through their websites, social media, and the College Esports News website with recaps of events!
