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
Spring 2026 – CIF Esports Initiative x NASEF
January 18, 2027 - April 24, 2027
- 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.
- Teams of 5 vs 5
- PC only
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate is a fighting game published by Nintendo. Gaming icons clash in the ultimate showdown.
- Teams of 3 vs 3
- Nintendo Switch only
Rocket League
Rocket League is a vehicle soccer game developed by Psynoix. A high-powered hybrid of arcade-style soccer and vehicular mayhem.
- Teams of 3 vs 3
- All platforms
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
Mario Kart 8 is a kart racing game developed by Nintendo.
- 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.
- 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
- 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, Winter Soldier, Deadpool or Elsa Bloodstone).Â
Timeline
Registration
October 5, 2026 - December 18, 2026
CIF Payment Due
December 18, 2026
Preseason (Optional Scrimmages)
Session 1:Â Weeks of Nov 30th & Dec 7th
Session 2:Â Weeks of Jan 4th & Jan 11th
Regular Season
Begins:Â Week of Monday, Jan 18, 2027
Regular Season duration:Â 9 Weeks
Post Season
Play-In:Â Monday, April 5th
Playoffs Conclude Friday April 16th
Grand Finals in Person
Saturday April 24th, 2027
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.Â
Please reach out to James Wood at james@nasef.org with any questions.
Contact us for support
Hall of Champions
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
West Covina High School (2025 Gold)
West High School (2025 Blue)
West Covina High School (2024 Gold)
West High School (2024 Blue)
El Diamante High School (2023)
Jesuit High School (Spring 2022)
Crespi Carmelite High School (Fall 2021)
Jesuit High School (Spring 2021)
Rocket League
Benjamin Franklin Senior High School (2025)
Benjamin Franklin Senior High School (2024)
Quartz Hill High School (2023)
St. John Bosco High School (Spring 2022)
Bishop O'Dowd High School (Fall 2021)
Hemet High School (Spring 2021)
Las Alamitos High School (Fall 2020)
St. Ignatius College Preparatory (Fall 2019)
League of Legends
John Rowland High School (2025)
La Quinta High School (2024)
Sunny Hills High School (2023)
La Quinta High School (Spring 2022)
La Quinta High School (Fall 2021)
La Quinta High School (Spring 2021)
Sunny Hills High School (Fall 2020)
Sunny Hills High School (Fall 2019)
FIFA
Lynwood High School/Henry Armenta (Fall 2021)