Collegiate Sports Management Group (CSMG) announced details on CECC May Madness 2026, which organizers claim is the “largest intercollegiate competitive gaming tournaments in the United States.”
First and foremost, CECC May Madness 2026 will take place May 1–3, 2026, in Waco, Texas–making a move away from Arlington, Texas, after more than three years. Organizers claim that the event will host more than 2,000 student-athletes and 25 collegiate conferences from Divisions I, II, and III, including Big East, Big Sky, and many others.
The May Madness competitions will officially kick off April 30, 2026, at Baylor University’s McLane Stadium with a “Thursday Night Lights” event featuring an opening jersey ceremony, live local entertainment, and a high-school exhibition match. The competition is facilitated and organized by EsportsU, the esports division of Collegiate Sports Management Group (CSMG).
May Madness is a multi-title, multi-conference collegiate esports championship with students vying for CECC National Championships in a number of popular competitive titles including Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Rocket League, Overwatch, Valorant, NBA 2K, and more. The event is a culmination of a year-long competitive season for 25 official conference partners and 800+ colleges and universities.
In addition to competition, CECC May Madness 2026 will feature “cosplay showcases, food trucks, trading card game tournaments, an artists’ alley, creator meet-and-greets, a college recruiting fair, high school talent combines, educational panels, and more,” according to organizers.
“We’re thrilled to welcome CECC May Madness to Waco and build on the event’s roots in Texas,” said Mike Vogelaar, executive director of the Greater Waco Sports Commission. “The event represents not only a growing chapter in collegiate sports, but a significant opportunity to showcase our city as a hub for innovation, community, and next-generation entertainment.”
More information about May Madness 2026 can be found at collegiatesmg.com.
It should be noted that at least one of the conferences listed on the graphic and in the announcement, the Big Esports Conference, claims it is not part of CECC May Madness 2026. In a statement posted on social media platform X/Twitter, BEC said:
“The BEC has no such affiliation, partnership, or business relationship with @collegiatesmg or @EsportsUGaming, nor has BEC granted any license or permission for the use of its intellectual property or the misrepresentation of its involvement.”
The Esports Advocate reached out to representatives for EsportsU for comment on Tuesday, but the organization did not respond. Instead it responded publicly with a direct reply to BEC’s public statement, adding:
“Dear BEC leadership and members, It was our understanding that after multiple conversations BEC had interest in participating this season. However, if that is a misunderstanding, we will remove BEC from all collateral and list of auto-bid recipients at this time. Should there be interest in discussing participation for 2026 or future seasons, we would welcome that conversation. Our aim is always to support conferences/schools and create exceptional opportunities for student competitors across the collegiate ecosystem.”