Steinbach, Manitoba, will host more than 60 teams from across the province for a school-based video game competition as players compete in the game Brawlhalla. This regional event serves as an official provincial qualifier, highlighting the growth of organized digital sports in local schools.
The tournament is hosted by the Hanover School Division and features 36 Middle Years teams and 22 Senior Years teams. There are also four teams participating in a category called Game Changers, which provides a dedicated competitive space for students from underrepresented groups in gaming.
The Manitoba School Esports Association (MSEA) acts as the governing body for the league, managing the competitive season and the tournament rules. Mitchell Gallinger, a teacher and esports league convenor at Steinbach Regional Secondary School, says that interest in these competitive teams has increased steadily since they were reintroduced to the school system in 2023.
At the local high school alone, 30 students are currently registered to play on various competitive teams. This event marks a shift from casual gaming clubs to a formal provincial league where students can represent their schools in a structured environment.
