PlayVS has acquired its fellow scholastic esports platform Vanta Esports, consolidating two major education-focused communities to broaden student access to coaching and competition. The move, announced on 22nd January 2026, aims to create a more comprehensive national ecosystem for school-based competitive gaming, spanning K-12 and collegiate levels. This strategic acquisition is designed to strengthen structured pathways for student development through esports.

The acquisition adds Vanta’s network of approximately 3,000 K–12 schools and its coaching-led model to PlayVS. Vanta also brings a strong presence in key states, including Texas and Hawaii, along with a portfolio of marquee events such as the Hawaii Esports Invitational and the Texas State Championship, which are brought in through this acquisition and will continue under the PlayVS umbrella.

Jon Chapman, CEO of PlayVS, stated the merger was driven by a shared educational mission. “Vanta has built an exceptional, education-focused platform rooted in coaching, mentorship, and safe competition,” he said. “By bringing our organisations together, we can expand access for more students, provide greater support for educators, and better serve schools and communities nationwide.”

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Patrick Cronin, CEO of Vanta, echoed the alignment in vision. “From the start, it was clear that PlayVS and Vanta share the same beliefs about the positive role gaming can play in students’ lives,” Cronin said. “Our teams are deeply committed to coaching, community, and meaningful competition, and we’re excited to keep building together.”

This acquisition continues a period of consolidation for PlayVS, following its 2025 expansions which included the acquisitions of Generation Esports and Playfly College Esports. The move signals a continued strategy to build a complete, school-aligned offering for students, encompassing competition, coaching, and educational programming across esports, broadcasting, and STEM fields. PlayVS is the official esports partner of the NFHS Network and the Special Olympics in the U.S. and Canada.

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