Announcing The Forge Scholastic Esports Championship
Live at Tech Port Center + Arena, San Antonio | May 14–17
Rally Cry, in partnership with the Army National Guard (ARNG), is proud to introduce The Forge, a four‑day scholastic esports celebration taking place Thursday, May 14th through Sunday, May 17th at the Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas.
Building on the momentum of our first Scholastic Esports Championship which took place in May of 2025, Rally Cry, and the Army National Guard are expanding our vision and establishing The Forge as the long‑term home for this annual event. The Forge will continue to champion students’ growth in their esports, academic, and professional careers for years to come. The event will bring together high school and collegiate competitors from across the country for a weekend of competition, career exploration, and community engagement.
As part of this initiative, Rally Cry is collaborating with the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC) to host the collegiate competition pathway at The Forge.
The NECC will oversee and operate the collegiate divisions featured at the event, ensuring a high‑quality competitive experience for college teams who qualify to compete live on stage in San Antonio.
A Unified Vision for Academic & Grassroots Esports
The Forge is built on a shared mission between Rally Cry and the Army National Guard:
- Supporting academic and professional development for students exploring esports‑aligned career paths
- Strengthening grassroots esports ecosystems across high schools, colleges, and local communities
- Creating a space where students can forge their esports, academic, and professional futures
The event will serve as a melting pot for high school and college students to compete, learn, and connect. Through workshops, activations, and hands‑on experiences, attendees will gain exposure to opportunities in technology, leadership, and service.
On a Mission to Bring the Best to The Forge
Just as a real forge relies on the strongest materials to create its finest work, The Forge thrives when the highest‑caliber competitors and partners come together. That’s why Rally Cry is collaborating with the NECC to host and manage the Forge Trials, ensuring that the event is shaped by the very best talent, structure, and competitive integrity collegiate esports has to offer.
The NECC brings a proven competitive ecosystem and deep operational expertise, creating a pathway for top collegiate teams across the country to qualify for The Forge and compete live on the professional stage at Tech Port.
This collaboration strengthens the collegiate competitive pathway and reinforces the NECC’s commitment to accessible, meaningful esports experiences for students nationwide, helping The Forge become a place where excellence is shaped, sharpened, and showcased.
A Partnership Built on Opportunity
Rally Cry, the Army National Guard, and the NECC share a commitment to empowering young people through education, teamwork, and personal growth. At The Forge, students will have access to:
- Career and education resources
- Leadership and team‑building experiences
- STEM‑aligned activations and technology exploration
- Mentorship and networking opportunities
The ARNG’s involvement highlights its dedication to supporting youth development and helping students build confidence, discipline, and long‑term success.
About The Forge
The Forge is more than a tournament; it’s a launchpad for the next generation of esports competitors, creators, and leaders.
Event Dates: Thursday, May 14 – Sunday, May 17
Location: Boeing Center at Tech Port, San Antonio, TX
Participants: Collegiate and high schools students from across North America
Features: Live competition, workshops, career exploration, partner activations, and more
ABOUT RALLY CRY
Rally Cry builds inclusive, scalable esports programs for schools, districts, and communities across the country. With a focus on accessibility, education, and student development, Rally Cry empowers young people to compete, connect, and grow through gaming.
ABOUT THE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD
The Army National Guard supports communities nationwide through service, leadership development, and educational opportunities. Its partnership with Rally Cry reflects a shared commitment to helping students build strong futures both inside and outside the classroom.
ABOUT THE NECC
The NECC fosters innovative competition experiences, provides quality broadcasting services, and works to support an inclusive community within collegiate esports. The NECC was started to provide the collegiate gaming community with the respect it warranted and deserved. The conference prides itself on responding to the needs of its schools, directors, coaches, and most importantly - its players.
With more than 500 colleges and universities currently competing, the NECC strives to be a positive home for the collegiate gaming community.
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