Collegiate Sports Management Group and EsportsU announced Friday that Cisco has signed on as a “corporate champion sponsor” for the Collegiate Esports Commissioner’s Cup (CECC) May Madness 2026.
Financial terms of this new deal were not disclosed.
Taking some cues and inspiration from its existing partnership with McLaren F1, the Cisco Pit Crew is described as a student experience and certification program that aims to create “new career pathways for students by combining education, certification, and real-world work experience at esports events and broadcasts,” according to the announcement, and connects Cisco Networking Academy curriculum to “high-pressure environments” such as CECC.
Twelve schools will be selected through an application process to form campus Pit Crews, who will receive exclusive Cisco Pit Crew jerseys, access to Cisco Networking Academy courses, and an esports infrastructure module. Completion of the program will earn participants a “Cisco Pit Crew Certification.” More details about the application process can be found at www.collegiatesmg.com.
“Gaming and esports are transforming higher education,” said Angela Bernhard Thomas, chief esports officer at EsportsU. “Campuses are building arenas, creating academic programs, and awarding scholarships. The Cisco Pit Crew extends that momentum by offering tech-savvy students a role behind the scenes—just as important as players and coaches.”
Speaking more specifically about CECC May Madness 2026, the Cisco Pit Crew will have access to a “fully functional tech solutions pit area, featuring interactive simulations inspired by Cisco’s McLaren F1 partnership—translating the high-stakes energy of the pit lane into challenges around networking, security, and latency management in esports environments.”
Planned activations will include “real-time engagement with Riot Games and League of Legends content, complemented by Cisco Pit Crew Awards and an Esports Director’s Reception,” according to the announcement.
In case you are not familiar with it, CECC is a collegiate esports league that brings together student esports athletes from across North America to compete in multiple game titles for the opportunity to be crowned the overall winner of its LAN finale event, the Commissioners Cup. The competition supports 320 teams, 185 schools, and 1,500 esports athletes in such games as Overwatch 2, Rocket League, Valorant, Street Fighter 6, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.