Nintendo Partners with Interstate Scholastic Esports Alliance for School-Organized Gaming Tournaments

Nintendo partners with Interstate Scholastic Esports Alliance to promote gaming competitions among students. Starting this fall, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Splatoon 3 games will be used for school-organized tournaments and events for grades 4-12. The partnership aims to make gaming more social, accessible, and rewarding, reaching over 80,000 students across 23 states.

Nintendo of America has announced a partnership with the Interstate Scholastic Esports Alliance (ISEA) to introduce gaming competitions among students across the United States. The collaboration aims to make gaming more social, accessible, and rewarding, particularly for elementary, middle, and high school students.

Starting this fall, the partnership will utilize Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Splatoon 3 games for school-organized tournaments and events. These games will be available on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch – OLED Model systems, reaching over 80,000 students across 23 states.

The initiative seeks to provide students with an engaging and inclusive platform for competitive gaming, fostering social interaction and healthy competition. The ISEA, which represents educator-run scholastic esports organizations, is committed to empowering students through gaming experiences that promote social, emotional, and academic growth.

As part of the partnership, Nintendo will provide a substantial number of Nintendo Switch Online memberships and digital game download codes at no cost. This support is intended to make gaming accessible to students who may not have previously engaged in competitive activities.

The collaboration builds upon Nintendo's ongoing efforts to support and expand the esports community. In November 2023, Nintendo updated its official guidelines and application portal for hosting not-for-profit, small-scale community tournaments. This partnership with the ISEA is another step in creating a fun and inclusive gaming environment.

For more information about the ISEA and its affiliated organizations, visit their official website: www.iseaesports.org. Additional details on Nintendo's official tournament guidelines can be found here: https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/63433/~/community-tournament-guidelines.

References:
[1] https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250812630712/en/Nintendo-Partners-With-Interstate-Scholastic-Esports-Alliance-ISEA-to-Welcome-Students-to-Competitive-Gaming