The wait is over! Mettlestate, in partnership with ASEM, is bringing South African university esports enthusiasts a brand new tournament. Registration is now open for the inaugural Varsity Esports.

If you're a bona-fide student at one of South Africa’s top universities and have a passion for Rocket League, Valorant, or EAFC25, this is your chance to represent your university and compete for glory!

“The launch of Varsity Esports is an exciting milestone for both university sport and competitive gaming in South Africa,” says University Sport Company CEO, Flip van Zyl. “Varsity Esports represents a unique opportunity for student-athletes to showcase their talents, build community and gain recognition in a rapidly growing industry.

Not only is it exciting for players but also for brands. “I can’t wait to see how big brand companies will use this opportunity to leverage Esports growing popularity. I am looking forward to two fiercely contested seasons across the gaming titles, adds van Zyl.”

University students eager to participate should reach out to their university's Esports Manager to secure their place in the tournament. Esport manager’s contact details can be found on the Varsity Esports website, here.

“Esports is finally an official code in the university ecosystem. This is monumental, and a huge step forward in developing and growing esports in not only South Africa, but the whole African continent,” says Barry Louzada, Managing Director and founder of Mettlestate. “We are so excited to launch Varsity Esports and help grow the scene. This is opening so many doors, and we’re looking forward to seeing what the next generation of gamers can do.”

The Varsity Esports roster:

If you belong to one of the following institutions, you can get your game on with Varsity Esports:

Central University of Technology
Mangosuthu University of Technology
Rhodes University
Sole Plaatje University
Stellenbosch University
Tshwane University of Technology
University of Cape Town
University of Johannesburg
University of KwaZulu-Natal
University of Pretoria
University of the Free State
University of the Western Cape
University of the Witwaterstrand
Vaal University of Technology
Varsity College

Tournament Format & Structure

The Varsity Esports Tournament will feature a Swiss Bracket system, ensuring fair and competitive matchups throughout the season. With two seasons per year, teams will compete for a spot at the Grand Finals at the end of 2025.

Showcase your university pride on a national stage as you compete against South Africa’s top student teams in an intense esports showdown. Experience the thrill of live, in-person grand finals and take your esports career to the next level in a structured, professional environment. With valuable exposure, competitive experience, and the chance to win big, with a total of R90 000 up for grabs!

“It is all systems go for the first season of Varsity Esports,” says Marnus van Huyssteen, Head of ASEM Corporate. “We are in the final planning stages of bringing a brand new esport tournament to the very competitive university sport space. Varsity Esports forms part of the Varsity Sports brand and will see SA’s top university esport teams compete in a brand new tournament.

Our aim is to help grow esport in South Africa and give gamers the opportunity to showcase their talent. For our first season we’re allowing multiple teams from all universities to participate if they are registered with their relevant sports department. We hope to see Varsity Esports stars competing on the international stage very soon. Get ready for Sportainment on another level!”

Don’t Miss Out!

The action starts soon. Make sure you don’t miss your chance to compete, represent, and dominate in South Africa’s top varsity esports league.

📅 Registrations for Season 1 are now open! Get in touch with your university’s Esports Manager today and secure your spot!

Follow Mettlestate and Varsity Sports for updates and announcements. Let the games begin! 🎮🔥