The Collegiate Esports Commissioner’s Cup (CECC) May Madness national championship will take place in Waco, Texas, for its 2026 event. The relocation from Arlington reflects the event’s ongoing development within the collegiate athletics landscape.
Organised by EsportsU, the esports division of the Collegiate Sports Management Group (CSMG), the 2026 championship is scheduled for the Waco Convention Center from 1st to 3rd May. The event will involve over 2,000 student-athletes competing in titles including Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Rocket League, Overwatch, VALORANT, and NBA 2K. A ‘Thursday Night Lights’ opening ceremony is planned for 30th April at Baylor University’s McLane Stadium.
Angela Bernhard Thomas, Chief Esports Officer at CSMG, commented on the event’s development. “The growth we’re seeing—across conferences, universities, and student participation—shows just how fast scholastic esports is accelerating,” Thomas said. “CECC May Madness gives conferences a national stage to showcase their talent and embrace esports as a nationally recognised part of the modern collegiate athletics landscape.”
The CECC framework includes 25 official conference partners, which receive 106 auto-qualifying bids to the championship. The PlayVS College League (PCL) will also hold its spring championship at the venue. Mike Vogelaar, Executive Director of the Greater Waco Sports Commission, noted the city’s readiness for the event, stating they are “thrilled to welcome CECC May Madness to Waco and build on the event’s roots in Texas.”
The championship’s previous edition in Arlington reported over 5,000 live attendees and more than five million livestream views. The event featured brand activations from partners including McDonald’s, Cisco, and the U.S. Army. The structure provides a competitive pathway for universities and explores opportunities in areas like name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights for participants.
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