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.Â
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 hereAttend 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
- 10/16/25 at 4:00-5:00pm: Registration Link
- 10/22/25 at 4:00-5:00pm: Registration Link
- 11/18/25 at 4:00-5:00pm: Registration Link
- 12/15/25 at 4:00-5:00pm: Registration Link
Competitive Offerings
NASEF California Fall OpenÂ
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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)
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
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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.Â
- 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
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 |
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
| 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 |