GameSquare Holdings Partners with Barnes & Noble College to Boost Collegiate Esports Experience
- GameSquare Holdings partners with Barnes & Noble College to enhance collegiate esports for nearly 6 million students.
- The partnership will develop a collegiate esports program with competitions during the 2025–2026 academic year.
- GameSquare aims to foster community and engagement through gaming, aligning with the increasing popularity of esports in education.
GameSquare Holdings Partners with Barnes & Noble College to Elevate Collegiate Esports
GameSquare Holdings, Inc. announces a strategic partnership with Barnes & Noble College (BNC), a division of Barnes & Noble Education, Inc., aimed at enriching the collegiate esports landscape for nearly 6 million students across more than 1,100 campus bookstores in the U.S. This collaboration is set to deliver innovative esports and gaming programming that emphasizes competition, education, and social connections among students. With over 90% of college students engaging in video gaming, this initiative seeks to leverage gaming as a medium for fostering community while enhancing the overall student experience.
Under the terms of the partnership, GameSquare will develop and manage a new collegiate esports program, which will feature a series of competitions throughout the 2025–2026 academic year. The program will include online qualifiers leading up to national live finals, with a complete event schedule to be announced later this year. Justin Kenna, CEO of GameSquare, underscores the importance of this initiative in providing students with meaningful opportunities to cultivate their legacies and gain valuable experiences within an increasingly gaming-centric campus culture. As more than 200 U.S. colleges and universities now offer varsity-level competitive gaming, this partnership aligns perfectly with the growing demand for structured esports programs in higher education.
Celeste Risimini-Johnson, Chief Merchandise & Operations Officer of Barnes & Noble College, highlights the alignment of their mission with the rising popularity of gaming among students. By fostering vibrant campus experiences, BNC recognizes gaming as a crucial component of spirited student life. This partnership aims not only to enhance student engagement through competition but also to create new avenues for connection, whether students are participating from residence halls or other campus locations. As the landscape of college gaming continues to evolve, this collaboration positions GameSquare and Barnes & Noble College at the forefront of the collegiate esports movement.
In other news, Perfect Game, the leading youth baseball and softball platform, announces a partnership with BatWraps, a custom-designed bat wrap company owned by Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts. This collaboration aims to enhance the player experience by providing innovative bat customization options that meet safety standards and allow athletes to express their individuality. BatWraps will feature live customization stations at major Perfect Game events, ensuring that young athletes can showcase their personalities while improving their performance on the field.
This partnership not only revolutionizes bat customization in baseball but also reinforces Perfect Game's commitment to delivering innovative solutions in the sport. With an eye on the future, the collaboration reaches grassroots athletes while paving the way for aspiring professionals, thus strengthening Perfect Game's leading position in the youth baseball landscape.