Frequently Asked Questions

Esports are organized, team-based video game competitions within a global industry valued at billions of dollars annually. Platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming deliver countless hours of content to viewers worldwide. Esports includes popular competitive game titles such as Rocket League, Valorant and League of Legends.

Esports are recognized as competitive sports, sharing many core characteristics with traditional athletics. Skill, talent, sportsmanship, teamwork, organized play, a vibrant community and prizing are all essential elements of competitive esports.

Esports promote an inclusive environment for students of all physical abilities and expressed gender identities, creating an enjoyable and welcoming experience. Beyond gaming itself, esports provides valuable hands-on skills and personal growth opportunities supporting students' career development.

Esports at UC is not currently classified as a varsity sport. However, students participating in officially sanctioned esports competitions are recognized as student-athletes. While varsity sports are managed through UC Athletics, competitive esports programs are organized under the Center for Student Involvement.

UC boasts one of the nation's original esports communities, being home to the first esports collegiate club-sport in the U.S. and the Midwest's largest college-level esports event. With a strong connection to the Cincinnati Innovation District, UC esports can uniquely connect students, organizations and brands in ways unmatched by other programs.

The UC esports program is built on three pillars: community, competition and academics.  Students unite with a shared passion for esports, utilizing spaces to compete and train.

The Esports Innovation Lab provides a home for all things esports, from practice and competition to events for gamers.  The UC esports program also plays a significant role in developing student talent through connections with industry partners located at 1819.

Competitive teams at UC are managed by the UC Esports Club with support from the Center for Student Involvement (CSI) through Discord. Tryouts for teams are conducted each fall and spring, requiring that students be enrolled full time and in good academic standing. Teams welcome students from UC's Uptown campus and all satelite campuses.

Students who join a competitive esports team represent the University of Cincinnati and Bearcat Nation. They'll participate in officially sanctioned national leagues and tournaments, both online and in person.

Students are expected to attend weekly training sessions at the Esports Innovation Lab, communicate and collaborate with their teammates and embody the principles of sportsmanship, intentional practice and excellence. In the future, members of competitive teams will have access to scholarships, apparel and additional support.

The UC esports program supports and encourages student involvement beyond competition. Students can engage directly with our partners for work-study and other professional opportunities that equip them for success as future graduates. Additionally, students can apply to work at the Esports Innovation Lab, gaining valuable experience in esports, broadcasting, event management and facility operations.

No, the Esports Innovation Lab and all its services are available at no cost to students and members of the Bearcat community.

Please note that prior to 5 p.m., there's a fee for those who choose to park in the 1819 Innovation Hub's parking lot. Pricing options include 30 minutes of free parking up to a daily maximum rate of $10. For convenient parking, use the Text2Park app at t2p.mobi/1819.

Street parking is free, and lot parking is free after 5 p.m.

View our full list of games here.

Hours of operation are:

• Thursdays, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Fridays and Saturdays, 5 p.m. to midnight

Hours may change if there's an event being hosted in the Esports Innovation Lab. Follow us on Discord or our social channels for the latest information.