UC Irvine Giving Day

We Are UC Irvine Esports

At UC Irvine Esports, competition is only the beginning. We use gaming as a platform to develop leaders, build community and prepare students to thrive in an increasingly digital world. Esports at UC Irvine is about excellence – in competition, in the classroom and in character.

As one of the pioneers of collegiate esports, we’ve spent nearly a decade shaping what this space can be. Today, UC Irvine Esports stands as a national model for how universities can harness gaming to create opportunity, foster belonging and drive innovation.

Our Momentum

Thanks to the generosity of donors, sponsors and the gaming community, UC Irvine Esports has become the gold standard in collegiate competition and student development. Our program has been featured by ESPN, The New York Times and NBC Nightly News – and our teams continue to compete and win at the highest levels.

Among elite universities, our teams rise to the top. Among the best in collegiate esports, our academic excellence sets us apart. We are proud Anteaters – and we’re just getting started.

The Next Level Starts With You

Since launching in 2016, we’ve built something special. But the future of esports – and the opportunities it creates for students – depends on continued investment.

Your 2026 Giving Day gift will:

• Fund team travel to national and international competitions
• Provide scholarships and competitive support
• Expand career development and industry partnerships
• Strengthen a welcoming, values-driven community for all students

Together, we are building a global hub for esports – where academia and industry collaborate, where competition fuels growth and where students launch meaningful careers.

Thank you for believing in our students and in the power of games to do good.

Support UC Irvine Esports this Giving Day. Level up with us.

You can also support us by following us on social media and sharing our story with your network: