North American scholastic and collegiate gaming platform PlayVS has announced that the Hawaiʻi Esports Invitational (HEI) will return to Oʻahu in February 2027, backed by regional restaurant chain Zippy’s as presenting sponsor.
The three-day event acts as a primary commercial and regional showcase for PlayVS, combining collegiate competition, high school showcases, industry career panels, and community service projects.
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The renewal builds directly on key performance metrics from the February 2026 edition, which is framed as the largest collegiate esports event in Hawai’i’s history. According to PlayVS, the previous event recorded 1,234 live attendees (a 35% year-over-year increase) and generated over 26 million digital impressions, representing a 225% YoY increase.
Zippy’s will retain presenting rights, on-site catering integration, and partner activation placements across the multi-day program, which culminates in the PlayVS College League (PCL) invitational for Rocket League and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. The company, which is a Hawaiian fast-casual restaurant chain, does not maintain major commercial ties to other global esports leagues. Instead, the chain’s strategy remains built around regional grassroots engagement, youth community programs, and localised support in its core market.
“We’re incredibly grateful for Zippy’s continued support of the Hawaiʻi Esports Invitational and its commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for students, schools, and the broader community,” said Charles O’Donnell, Head of Partnerships at PlayVS. “Their partnership has helped this event grow into something truly special, and we’re excited to bring it back for another year. We look forward to building on that momentum in 2027 and delivering an even more impactful experience on Oʻahu.”
The event’s commercial expansion follows broader partner activity across PlayVS’s operational footprint. One week earlier, the operator reunited with Emerge Apparel as the official jersey provider across its entire competitive ecosystem, supplying custom team wear, design services, and dedicated online storefronts for middle school, high school, and PCL programs.
