We have an important update for all of our schools looking forward to the inaugural NZSS Esports Nationals. After careful consideration, we have made the difficult but necessary decision to postpone the inaugural NZ Esports School Tournament to a new date in early 2026.
Working with our school sport partners on the planning of this event, our goal was to minimise disruption to class time and make it as accessible as possible. However, as we have been leading up to the event, it has become clear that we underestimated how early and intensively the preparation period for final exams begins for students, and just how jam-packed this time of year is for many. We made a misjudgement, and it’s a lesson we will take on board.
We are also committed to what we preach, Play Life Balance, and the wellbeing and academic success of students is our top priority. Proceeding with the tournament during such a critical academic period does not align with our commitment to supporting your students both in the classroom and in their extracurricular pursuits.
Our vision for the school esports nationals is intense competition, high energy environment, and the ability to connect with students from all over the country. This requires a significant number of participating teams to ensure full brackets and a dynamic, engaging atmosphere. We hope postponing will allow more schools to participate without calendar conflicts, ensuring the inaugural NZ Esports School Championships set the standard that it deserves.
We are fully committed to making this the premier esports experience for New Zealand schools and are already channeling our energy into the new 2026 date. Thank you for your incredible support and understanding. Stay tuned, the wait will be worth it!
