BURBANK, Calif. - ESL, the world’s largest esports company, today announced a new partnership with the West Coast Conference (WCC) for ESL Collegiate’s fall 2019 season. This marks the most recent collegiate conference to join the ESL Collegiate platform in addition to the BIG EAST Conference.
 
“Collegiate esports is an essential part of the esports ecosystem,” said Yvette Martinez, CEO, ESL North America. “Through the addition of the West Coast Conference, we are growing esports communities on university campuses across the country and providing more opportunities for everyone to get involved in esports.” 
 
With gameplay underway through December 8, schools from the WCC will participate as the newest collegiate conference to join The ESL Collegiate 2019 Pre-season Invitational. Participating teams will go head-to-head against rival schools within their conference in a League of Legends competition. While the WCC’s weekly matches will take place offline, the playoffs and subsequent finals will be live streamed on Twitch and YouTube so that fans across the country can tune in to cheer on their schools. Together, the conferences and ESL will provide an opportunity to engage student esports communities on each participating campus. 
 
“ESL’s esports expertise, strong publisher relationships and experience in collegiate leagues make them an ideal partner to help build great esports experiences on the WCC campuses,” said Gloria Nevarez, Commissioner, West Coast Conference. “The ESL Collegiate 2019 Pre-season Invitational will provide a unique opportunity for our students to get involved in representing the WCC ethic of excellence in the evolving field of esports.” 
 
To keep up with the latest information, be sure to follow ESL Collegiate on Twitter. 
 
###
 
About ESL
ESL is the world’s largest esports company. Founded in 2000, ESL has been shaping the industry across the most popular video games with numerous online and offline esports competitions. The company operates high profile, branded international leagues and tournaments under the ESL Pro Tour including ESL One, Intel® Extreme Masters, ESL Pro League, and other premier stadium-size events, to more clearly define the path from zero to hero. ESL also produces the ESL National Championships, grassroots amateur cups, and matchmaking systems, creating a world where everybody can be somebody. With offices all over the world, ESL is leading esports innovation on a global scale through the combination of global ESL competitions, amateur leagues, publisher activations, and more. ESL is a part of MTG, the leading international digital entertainment group. about.eslgaming.com  
 
About ESL Collegiate
ESL Collegiate is a fully licensed, collegiate conference and network supported esports program that offers weekly broadcasts, content production and on campus events. As a dual-season multi-game platform, a wide range of audiences and players are captured and entertained through ESL's collegiate program. On-campus events are coupled with regular season broadcasts allowing students to enjoy viewing parties and pop-up gaming lounges while engaging with ESL Collegiate brand partners.
 
About The West Coast Conference
Formed in 1952, The West Coast Conference was and has evolved and grown to become a bold force in NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics, nationally recognized for its competitiveness, energy and drive. Featuring 15 conference-sponsored sports: baseball, men's and women's basketball, women’s beach volleyball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's golf, women's rowing, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's tennis and women's volleyball, the WCC has gained unstoppable momentum with student-athletes who are relentless in their pursuit of greatness. Fiercely dedicated and highly engaged both in the classroom and on the court, these exceptional people are known for their passion and rigor. Characterized by the stability of its membership, commitment to innovation and unique emphasis on combining excellence in athletics with excellence in academics, the WCC continues to set the bar for excellence in collegiate athletics. For more information, visit WCCsports.com and follow the West Coast Conference on Twitter @WCCsports
 
About League of Legends
League of Legends is a fast-paced, team-oriented online game where two teams of five compete in intense 5v5 battles that require strategic thinking, lightning reflexes, and coordinated team-play. Over 100 million people play League of Legends each month, making LoL the most-played PC video game in the world. Riot Games, the creators of League of Legends, hosts a college League of Legends season every year with over 300 competing schools in the 2019 season.