Esports | 9/23/2026 3:00:05 PM
NORFOLK, Va. – The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) will kick off its 2026 Esports season on Tuesday, Sept. 29, with students from across the conference competing in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Marvel Rivals.
The MEAC Esports season, sponsored by Fanta, will feature competition throughout the week, with Mario Kart 8 Deluxe matches taking place Tuesdays, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on Wednesdays and Marvel Rivals on Thursdays. The conference is partnering with PlayVS to facilitate the competition.
Competitors will have the opportunity to earn prize money in each title. The top three finishers in both Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate will receive $500, $300 and $150, respectively. The winning Marvel Rivals team will split a $1,200 prize pool.
More information, including results and Gamer of the Week honors, will be available throughout the season.
Fall 2026 Master Schedule
| Event / Round |
Date / Week |
Format / Notes |
| Registration Closes |
9/25/2026 |
Registration deadline |
| Round 1 |
Week of 9/29 |
Match |
| Round 2 |
Week of 10/6 |
Match |
| Round 3 |
Week of 10/13 |
Match |
| Round 4 |
Week of 10/20 |
Match |
| Round 5 |
Week of 10/27 |
Match |
| Round 6 |
Week of 11/3 |
Match |
| Playoffs - R4 |
Week of 11/10 |
Knockout Match |
| Playoffs - R2 |
Week of 11/17 |
Conference Championship |
Weekly Competition Schedule
| Day |
Game Title |
|
| Tuesday |
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe |
|
| Wednesday |
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate |
|
| Thursday |
Marvel Rivals |
|
About the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) enters its 56th year of intercollegiate competition with the 2026–27 academic year. Headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, the MEAC is comprised of eight distinguished Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) along the Atlantic seaboard: Coppin State University, Delaware State University, Howard University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Morgan State University, Norfolk State University, North Carolina Central University, and South Carolina State University. Since its founding in 1970, the MEAC has been dedicated to promoting academic excellence, sportsmanship, and the personal growth of student athletes. For more information, visit
www.MEACSports.com.