Join NASEF

The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) has selected the Network of Academic and Scholastic Esports Federations (NASEF) as the Official Esports Provider of the CIF Esports Initiative. NASEF shares the core values and mission of CIF regarding education-based opportunities for the students of California, with our model that connects gameplay and competition to meaningful education around life and career skills. 

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Registration Checklist

Pay the CIF for the CIF Esports Initiative x NASEF League.

The cost will be $100 per school. Registration opens on October 1, 2025 and all payments are due by December 12, 2025. Please contact Chris Fahey at: [email protected] for details on paying by purchase order or for bulk purchases. Registration includes a single Varsity team per game per school to compete in the CIF Esports Initiative x NASEF League, and an unlimited number of JV & Exhibition teams to play and compete.

Pay for the CIF Esports Initiative here

Attend one of 4 MANDATORY onboarding calls via Zoom:

The Coach or a designated representative from the school MUST ATTEND one of the four calls to be eligible for the Varsity League/State Championship

View Full Registration Checklist

Competitive Offerings

NASEF California Fall Open 

September 9, 2025 - December 16, 2025

Registration for the NASEF CA Fall open is available now on PlayVS and closes September 20th, 2025.

  • Not part of the CIF Esports Initiative
  • No in-person finals – competition is online only with postseason brackets
  • Registration follows PlayVS Fall timelines.
  • Match days differ from standard PlayVS defaults
Register for NASEF California Fall open

League of Legends

League of Legends is a free to play team-based game developed by Riot Games. Make epic plays with over 140 champions.

  • Tuesdays, 4:15pm PST
  • Teams of 5 vs 5
  • PC only
Rulebook

Rocket League

Rocket League is a vehicle soccer game developed by Psynoix. A high-powered hybrid of arcade-style soccer and vehicular mayhem.

  • Wednesdays, 4:15pm PST
  • Teams of 3 vs 3
  • All platforms
Rulebook

NBA2K25

NBA2K25 is an immersive basketball experience developed by Visual Concepts. Experience the sports simulation based on the NBA.

  • Wednesdays, 4:15pm PST
  • 1 vs 1
  • Playstation 5 or Xbox Console (X|S)
Rulebook

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Mario Kart 8 is a kart racing game developed by Nintendo.

  • Wednesdays, 4:15pm PST
  • 4 player team
  • Nintendo Switch only
Rulebook

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a fighting game published by Nintendo. Gaming icons clash in the ultimate showdown.

  • Thursdays, 4:15pm PST
  • Teams of 3 vs 3
  • Nintendo Switch only
Rulebook

Madden NFL 25

Madden NFL 25 is an immersive football experience developed by EA Tiburon and published by Electronic Arts.

  • Thursdays, 4:15pm PST
  • 1 vs 1
  • Playstation 5, PC, or Xbox Console (X|S)
Rulebook

Spring 2026 – CIF Esports Initiative x NASEF

January 20, 2026 - March 20, 2026
  • Official CIF-aligned league with in-person State Finals
  • Registration only through CIF Esports League
  • Includes Varsity, JV, and Exhibition divisions
Registration Checklist

League of Legends

League of Legends is a free to play team-based game developed by Riot Games. Make epic plays with over 140 champions.

  • Tuesdays, 4:15pm PST
  • Teams of 5 vs 5
  • PC only

League of Legends will remain varsity but under review; we are in talks with Riot to discuss Campus League Unlocked and are monitoring the number of teams participating on an annual basis.

 

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a fighting game published by Nintendo. Gaming icons clash in the ultimate showdown.

  • Female - Tuesdays, 4:15pm PST
  • Open - Thursdays, 4:15pm PST
  • Teams of 3 vs 3
  • Nintendo Switch only

*New Tuesday league for female players; Inclusion in the Championship Finals (in-person) will be determined on the number of schools participating.

 

Rocket League

Rocket League is a vehicle soccer game developed by Psynoix. A high-powered hybrid of arcade-style soccer and vehicular mayhem.

  • Wednesdays, 4:15pm PST
  • Teams of 3 vs 3
  • All platforms

 

NBA2K25

NBA2K24 is an immersive basketball experience developed by Visual Concepts. Experience the sports simulation based on the NBA.

  • Wednesday, 4:15pm PST
  • 1 vs 1
  • Playstation 5 or Xbox Console (X|S)

*NBA2K25 is currently an Exhibition Title and will not compete for a CIF Esports Initiative Championship at our in-person event, but will have an online post-season tourney.

 

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe

Mario Kart 8 is a kart racing game developed by Nintendo.

  • Wednesdays, 4:15pm PST
  • 4 player team
  • Nintendo Switch only

*Mario Kart 8 inclusion in the Championship Finals (in-person) will be determined on the number of schools participating

 

Madden NFL 25

Madden NFL 25 is an immersive football experience developed by EA Tiburon and published by Electronic Arts.

  • Thursdays, 4:15pm PST
  • 1 vs 1
  • Playstation 5, PC, or Xbox Console (X|S)

*Madden NFL 25 is currently an Exhibition Title and will not compete for a CIF Esports Initiative Championship at our in-person event, but will have an online post-season tourney.

Marvel Rivals

In Marvel Rivals, teams of 6 assemble their favorite Marvel heroes and villains, each with unique powers and abilities. 

  • Thursdays, 4:15pm PST
  • 6 vs 6
  • Cross Platform (PC,  Playstation 5, or Xbox Console X|S)

*Marvel Rivals is currently a CIF exhibition title with a few rules changes, including no cosmetics, and a reduced roster of characters (No: Punisher, Black Widow, Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon, Blade, or Winter Soldier).

Fall 2025 & Spring 2026 Timeline

4 Tabs Website
NASEF CA Fall Open 2025 - Key Dates

NASEF CA Fall Open Key Dates

Event Dates
Registration Opens Already Open! Register now!
Preseason Week of September 9 & Week of September 16
Registration Closes September 20, 2025
Regular Season September 23 – November 11, 2025
Playoffs November 18 – December 6, 2025
Online Finals Weeks of December 9 & 16, 2025
5x3 Table

NASEF CA Fall Open 2025 - Match Days

Weekday Game Match Time
Tuesday • League of Legends 4:15pm PT
Wednesday

• Rocket League

• NBA 2K25 (PS5 / Xbox)

• Mario Kart

4:15pm PT
Thursday

• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

• Madden NFL 25

4:15pm PT
CIF Esports Initiative x NASEF Spring 2026 - Key Dates

CIF Esports Initiative x NASEF Spring 2026 - Key Dates

Event Dates
Registration Opens October 1, 2025
Registration & Payment Deadline December 12, 2025
Preseason Weeks December 1, December 8, January 5, January 12
Regular Season Start Week of January 19, 2026 (first matches January 20)
Last Day for Regular Season Matches March 20, 2026
Break Weeks March 23 & March 30, 2026
Playoff Brackets Released March 25–27, 2026
Playoffs April 6–17, 2026
In-Person CIF Finals April 25, 2026

CIF Esports Initiative x NASEF Spring 2026 - Game Days

Weekday Game Match Time
Tuesday

• League of Legends

• Girls SSBU DIvision

4:15pm PT
Wednesday

• Rocket League

• NBA 2K25

• Mario Kart

4:15pm PT
Thursday

• Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (Open)

• Madden NFL 25

• Marvel Rivals

4:15pm PT

Why Esports?

Scholastic esports engages a huge population of students that do not participate in other extracurricular activities. That increases grades, test scores, and attendance (yielding more ADA dollars for your school!).

Meet the Scholastic Tournament Administrator

James Wood is the official Scholastic Tournament Administrator. He has been successfully managing both leagues and tournaments in the Northern California Esports League for years, and he has successfully completed NASEF’s Scholastic Fellow and Mentor programs and now serves as a Community Leader. He has developed multiple esports-focused curricula, and he has also been a high school teacher and managed a high school esports program. James will oversee Tournament logistics, gameplay, and all other aspects regarding competitive play, including help and support for all participating schools. 

Please reach out to James Wood at [email protected]. You can also email [email protected] with any questions.

Contact us for support

Hall of Champions

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

West Covina High School (2024 Gold)
West High School (2024 Blue)
West Covina High School (2025 Gold)
West Covina High School (2025 Blue)

Rocket League

Benjamin Franklin Senior High School (2024)
Benjamin Franklin Senior High School (2025)

League of Legends

La Quinta High School (2024)
John Rowland High School (2025)

Relive the Championship Finals!

2024

2025