Downloadable Version

 

“The future is always about that pipeline of talent,” said Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones, who welcomed contestants to San Antonio. “We’re focused on AI, quantum, biotechnology and space manufacturing. It’s about creating that talent pipeline. And the more young people we can get excited about those fields, the stronger our community and the stronger our economy will be.”

Watch: Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones, who helped kick off the event, reflects on the connection between esports and the growing technologies based San Antonio that keep our nation safe.

That pipeline is already taking shape in local schools.

New this year, the championship expanded beyond competition to include a full-day workshop for San Antonio-area educators interested in launching or growing esports programs in their schools. One session was led by Josh Martinez, whose leadership has helped grow SAMSAT’s R20 Premier League from a handful of schools in 2020 to 35 middle and high schools across 17 districts today.

“We’re seeing more schools recognize that esports can be a powerful tool for engaging students and opening doors to future opportunities,” Martinez said. “Whether that’s college, technology careers or simply helping students find a place where they belong, the impact goes far beyond gaming.”

The three-day event brought together top competitors, families, educators, esports leaders, and technology employers. Players had the opportunity to connect with industry professionals through panels, networking opportunities, and hands-on experiences.  

Plus One Robotics and Astroport Space Technologies, which are headquartered on the Tech Port campus, were on hand throughout the weekend to show how skills developed through competitive gaming can translate into careers in robotics, aerospace, aviation and advanced technologies.

The event featured collegiate competition across 11 titles—including Valorant, Overwatch 2, League of Legends, Rocket League, Counter-Strike 2 and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate—alongside the R20 Premier League Grand Finals, where middle and high school teams competed on the same stages as some of the nation's top collegiate players.  

“One of the things we're trying to do with events like this is build connective tissue between every level of scholastic esports,” said Adam Rosen, founder and CEO of Rally Cry. “Students can see where they might go to college, educators can learn how to build programs in their schools, and college players can connect with industry partners about future careers.” 

During the tournament, thousands of visitors also got the chance to have some fun, through open-play gaming stations, drone soccer, retro arcade games, Nintendo Switch competitions and an open Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tournament.  

The event reflects a broader strategy by Port San Antonio to use esports as a gateway to engage students and help build future talent pipelines for the region's growing innovation economy. The Boeing Center arena and, just down the hall, the Tech Port LAN Gaming Center, were purpose-built to attract major competitions while exposing students to the technologies and careers shaping the future. 

“The entire first prong of our Tech Port strategy is connecting people to opportunities,” said Will Garrett, Vice President of Talent and Technology Development and Integration at Port San Antonio. “We knew esports needed to be part of the hook—the thing that gets kids here. The goal has always been to inspire students through something they love and then help them discover opportunities they may not have known existed.” 

As colleges and universities nationwide continue expanding esports programs as recruitment and retention tools—and employers increasingly recognize the value of skills developed through gaming—the FORGE Championship is helping connect students, educators and industry in one place.  

Image and video credits: Rally Cry