Ireland Esports School Series: Paving the Way for School Esports

The Ireland Esports Schools Series is more than just a competition—it’s a bold vision for the future of esports in Ireland. Our initial ambition is to create a structured and sustainable pathway that connects secondary school students with collegiate esports and, ultimately, the wider industry. This initiative is not just about fostering competition; it’s about developing talent, building skills, and strengthening the relationship between schools with universities - as a result, boosting Ireland’s growing esports ecosystem.

A Vision Rooted in Collaboration

At the heart of this initiative is a commitment to collaborate. We believe that a strong esports pipeline starts at the grassroots level and builds momentum through strategic connections with higher education institutions.

By working closely with universities actively participating in the Ireland Esports Collegiate Series (IECS), we are ensuring that secondary school students have clear opportunities to continue their esports journey beyond school.

To achieve this, we are engaging with key stakeholders across the esports and education landscape. We are actively gathering insights from:

• University esports societies to understand what collegiate players need from school-level esports.

• University leadership to explore how esports can become an integrated part of student recruitment and engagement.

• School educators and administrators to identify how esports can complement traditional extracurricular activities and academic goals.

This information is shaping the foundation of the Ireland Esports Schools Series, ensuring that it is aligned with the needs of students, educators, and the wider esports industry.

Building the Bridge Between Schools and Universities

A core component of our vision is to create a seamless connection between secondary schools and universities. Esports is already thriving at the collegiate level in Ireland, with the Collegiate Series bringing together talented students from 17 universities and colleges to compete in structured leagues. However, for many aspiring players, coaches, and analysts, the leap from school to university esports is unclear. Our goal is to change that.

By fostering these connections, we aim to demystify the transition from school to university esports and ensure that students who are passionate about gaming have tangible opportunities to grow within the ecosystem.

Informing the Next Steps

Our approach is data-driven and community-led. We are currently conducting in-depth research to refine the structure of the Ireland Esports Schools Series. This initially involves:

• Surveying students and teachers parents to understand their perceptions and priorities regarding esports in schools.

• Studying international models of successful school-to-university esports pathways to learn from best practices.

We understand that launching a successful school esports series requires thoughtful planning and collaboration. By investing time in gathering the right insights, we are ensuring that the Ireland Esports Schools Series is built to last—a competition that not only provides an exciting platform for young gamers but also serves as a gateway to higher education, career opportunities and personal development.

Who can you get involved?

We’re inviting school teachers to register their interest with us. We’ll be sharing updates and looking for further insights as we build towards the 2025/26 academic year.