Bank of America Stadium hosts first-ever High School Esports Regional Tournament in North Carolina

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – When Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools held its season one esports championship in Jan. 2023, 27 schools across the district competed.

When the Varsity Esports League (VESL) kicked off season two, more than 200 schools across the state joined what CMS started.

The students told WBTV that it’s really special to be part of the first group to take the game to a new level.

“It’s really cool, it’s amazing how much it’s expanded in a short time,” Olympic High School senior Leyton Bean said.

The first ever esports regional tournament in the history of North Carolina, featuring over 300 local students competing in different games.

“It feels really nice to be a part of this big community,” said Olympic senior Leyton Bean.

Greensboro and Wilmington also hosted regional tournaments today, further showcasing how much this sport has grown across the state.

The winners from this weekend will advance to the first-ever esports state championship.

“It’s amazing. I’m so glad that people are taking an interest in esports now,” said Olympic junior Daniel Downing. “Crazy to see how this game expanded.”

But more than just playing games, these kids are also learning Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, or STEM skills that they can use well beyond school.

“They’re learning the 101 basics of artificial intelligence and machine learning,” Charlotte City Councilman Tariq Bokhari said. “Things they can put on their resume and say ‘I actually do have experience in that.’”

And if you ask those involved, esports also teach the same lessons as conventional sports.

“Definitely cooperation,” Downing said. “I’m definitely spending more time with more people, I’m meeting new people. I’m always learning new things along the way.”

It might not look like your typical varsity sport, but if the last year has shown anything, it’s that esports are growing fast, and not leaving North Carolina anytime soon.

“Pretty soon nation-wide, people are going to be benefitting from this,” Bokhari said. “But it will be because it originated in Charlotte, in our hometown, with our hometown schools.”

The regional tournaments will wrap up on Sunday, with the winners advancing to the esports state championships on Saturday, February 17, at UNC Greensboro.

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