The Army National Guard is sponsoring the FORGE Scholastic Esports Championship, set for May 15–17, 2026, in San Antonio. This event, hosted by Rally Cry, expands beyond competition to include career and education pathways for students. It integrates the FORGE program to connect esports with professional development.
The FORGE Scholastic Esports Championship marks a new chapter for scholastic esports, rebranded from the previous Scholastic Esports Championship. Scheduled for May 15–17, 2026, at the Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, the three-day event is presented by the Army National Guard and produced by Rally Cry.
Evan Cameron, Product Lead at Rally Cry, stated, "The FORGE Scholastic Esports Championship represents more than just competition. It's a launchpad for student growth." The initiative incorporates Rally Cry's FORGE program, which aims to build pathways linking esports participation to education, careers, and leadership opportunities.
A key addition for 2026 is the FORGE Trials, a national qualifier system that allows teams from partner leagues to progress to the championship. This structure enhances access and competitive integrity. The event features competitions in partnership with organizations such as ECAC, EGF, NECC, and SAMSAT's R20 Esports program, plus activations from Ubisoft and TwitchU.
In addition to tournaments, attendees can participate in open competitions, career panels, interactive exhibits, arcade experiences, museum programming, and community activities focused on gaming culture and student achievement.
Rally Cry, founded by esports veterans, organizes community-focused gaming events for various groups, including youth and military communities. The Army National Guard supports the event through its commitment to education benefits and leadership training for students.
This development highlights efforts to professionalize scholastic esports, providing structured opportunities beyond gameplay.