Following a unanimous vote by the National Esports Collegiate Conference’s Board of Directors, the conference announced today that it will be doing away with cash prizing beginning with the 2026-27 academic year and using those funds to support, enhance, and strengthen other areas that will directly affect more teams, programs, and student-athletes within the NECC community.
The reallocation will result in a better day-to-day experience for all members of the NECC.
For a detailed breakdown of how the money will be used, please see below.
“Taking prize funding away was not a decision we took lightly,” said Curt Kimm, Co-Chair of the NECC Board of Directors and Director of Esports at Coe College. “We believe re-allocating those funds back into the NECC can create better long term value, strengthen our operations and help position us for future growth.”
“This decision was not taken lightly and is the result of hours of conversation, but I truly believe it is the right one for the NECC,” said Commissioner Jacob VanRyn. “I applaud the Board’s direction as the money will be used to improve the conference in a number of different ways that will be noticeable to our community immediately.”
Following the 2025-26 academic year, the NECC will be paying out over $30,000 in prize money to its championship-winning teams.
That money will now be used to improve the conference’s day-to-day gameday operations, including more financial support for game teams and support staff. Some of that money will also be used to increase the number of Championship LAN events during the 2026-27 academic year.
Game Operations Director Mitch Gilchrist said the enhanced support for his team will help provide a better experience for teams and players within the NECC.
“This boost to our game operations budget will help us compensate and retain the key admins that work tirelessly to manage our core titles and bring the members of the NECC a competitive season.”
The conference will also repurpose the funds to improve the quality of both its conference and national-championship trophies it purchases for schools.
“We’ve heard for a while now that schools would like to see the quality of our trophies improve and with this decision (to do away with financial prizing), we are also able to do that,” added VanRyn.
Prizing Funding Reallocations:
$10,000 - Improved Trophies for conference and national-championship winning teams
$10,000 - Additional NECC Championship LANs / Support for Teams attending LANs
$10,000 - Additional NECC game management staff and support
$5,000 - Additional funding for NECC support and staffing
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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