The Ireland Esports Collegiate Series is entering a defining moment.
As we close out the 8th consecutive Collegiate Series, the Premier Division will culminate in the first-ever live, in-person National Finals LAN. Bringing together the strongest university teams in the country to compete for national titles across four games.
This is more than a finals event. It establishes a clear, competitive pathway for student esports in Ireland, aligned with the traditions and expectations of university sport.
We couldn’t have done this without the passion of our Student Reps, our member Esports Societies buying into the vision and support of our partners, in particular Red Bull Ireland.
Building the University Esports Pathway
For years, university esports has grown through community and competition.
Now, it evolves into something more defined. The Premier Division National Finals represent:
Season-long competitive journey across Winter and Spring semesters
Points-based qualification system that rewards consistency and performance
Clear progression model from regular season to semi-finals to national finals
This is the closest Ireland has come to a structured national university esports championship system, comparable in ambition and clarity to traditional collegiate sport.
The Road to the National Finals
The season began in October 2025 with an eight-week Winter Semester, culminating in the Winter Finals Week. Competition resumed in February with the Spring Semester, following the same structure and recently concluding in its own Finals.
With both stages complete, focus now shifts to the National Finals Series — Semi-Finals, followed by the live National LAN Finals.
Four Premier Division titles will crown national champions:
Valorant
Counter-Strike 2
Rocket League
League of Legends
Qualification is earned — not given.
The top four teams in each title, determined by championship points accumulated across both semesters, advance to the Semi-Finals. Matchups are seeded:
1st vs 4th
2nd vs 3rd
The winners of each Semi-Final progress to the live National Finals.
Semi-Finals: The Final Test (11-14 May)
The semi-finals will take place across the week of May 11th–14th, following the established Premier Division schedule:
Each title plays on its designated night, Monday to Thursday
Matches are broadcast live with full production
Teams compete remotely for a place in the National Finals
Format:
Valorant, CS2, League of Legends: Best of 3
Rocket League: Best of 7
Only the winners advance.
National Finals: LAN (23-24 May)
The culmination of the season will see four national champions crowned in-person across the weekend of 23 - 24 May. We’ll also confirm the top Esports University on the island of Ireland, the institution with the highest number of championship points combined across all four titles.
Semi-final winners advance to the in-person National Finals
All matches will be played:
Valorant, CS2, League of Legends: Best of 3
Rocket League: Best of 7
For many players, this will be their first time competing in a live environment, an important step between university play and the wider esports scene.
This moment represents:
The highest level of collegiate competition in Ireland
A proof point for structured esports development
A platform for top student talent to perform under pressure
Unquestionably the largest esports competition on the island
Why This Matters
The introduction of a National LAN Finals raises the standard.
It validates esports as a serious competitive outlet within universities, creates shared moments and milestones across institutions, lifts the level of performance and visibility - it also establishes a repeatable championship model for future seasons
Much like traditional university sport, the goal is clear: represent your institution, qualify through performance and compete for a national title.
Get Involved
Keep an eye out for more details as we build up to the National Semi-Finals which start on Monday 11 May and continue through until Thursday 14 May.
