Tag

Valorant

Jul 20
Love0

Term 3 School Esports Starting Soon

By News, Schools

Calling all high schools! Registrations for Term 3 of the Australian Esports League’s High School Esports program close 27th July!

The next term of competition is coming, and the Australian Esports League is ready to roll out another massive schedule of competitive gaming for students across Australia. Whether your school is looking to field an official team, or support individual student drivers, there is a place for everyone in Term 3.

Here is everything you need to know about what is coming up and how to lock in your spots.

AEL School Esports (Term 3)

Our core inter-school competition returns to give high school students the opportunity to represent their school in a structured, safe, and competitive environment. Build teamwork, communication, and sportsmanship on the national stage.

  • Registration Deadline: Monday, 27th July
  • Who Can Join: High schools nationwide
  • Format: Multi-week structured competition across flagship titles including VALORANT, Minecraft (Capture the Flag), Marvel Rivals, Super Smash and Rocket League
  • How to Join: School coordinators must register teams directly with the AEL and complete participation fee payments.

Visit the AEL School League landing page for more information: https://ael.org.au/school/league/

AEL Virtual Grand Prix

Starts: Saturday, 8th August

Get ready to hit the track! The AEL Virtual Grand Prix is returning for another high-octane season. This competition is open directly to student drivers across Australia, offering a national platform to showcase their sim-racing talent.

  • Registration Deadline: Wednesday, 5th August
  • Key Information for Families: This is a parent-funded, direct-entry event. While schools are encouraged to share the opportunity with their community, parents register and manage their child’s entry directly.
  • Format: Competitive virtual racing divisions with live leaderboards and officiating.
  • Requirements: Compatible racing setup and platform access (full details on the registration page).

Visit the AEL Virtual Grand Prix landing page for more information: https://ael.org.au/virtualgrandprix/

Questions or Assistance?

If you are a teacher looking to set up an esports program at your school, or a parent needing assistance with individual registration, the AEL team is here to help. Reach out to us via schools@ael.org.au and our support staff will get back to you at their soonest availability.

Why Get Involved?

Esports is about far more than just gaming—it is a platform for developing critical skills in strategic thinking, resilience, collaboration, and digital communication. Through AEL events, students build school pride, connect with peers across the country, and learn to thrive in structured, competitive environments underpinned by good sportsmanship.

Participating in a nationally recognised AEL competition ensures your school is backed by a professional framework that puts student wellbeing, digital citizenship, and online safety first.

To help celebrate your school’s involvement, participating schools also receive media assets to showcase student achievements, driving school spirit and highlighting your commitment to innovative extracurricular opportunities.

A Safe and Monitored Environment

Student safety and digital wellbeing are our highest priorities.

All AEL competitions are conducted within restricted, monitored digital environments tailored to each event type. Access is strictly limited to registered participants and verified educators, with active oversight and robust moderation standards maintained across all platforms to ensure a secure, respectful, and positive experience for every student.

We look forward to seeing your school compete in Term 3!

Nov 02
Love0

Fans Flocked to the AEL Zone at Oz Comic-Con Sydney

By Events, News, Schools, University Cup

UNSW Esports and UON Esports Club reigned supreme on the university stage at Oz Comic-Con Sydney while Gymea Technology High School claimed victory in the schools showdown.

The Australian Esports League (AEL) lit up Oz Comic-Con Sydney at the Sydney Showground on 20–21 September 2025, delivering another unforgettable weekend of esports action, creativity, and community connection.

We re-cap all the excitement and energy from those two incredible days, from packed crowds to nail-biting finals, the AEL Zone once again proved to be one of the most vibrant attractions on the show floor showcasing the best of Australia’s grassroots esports scene.

Re-watch the live stream on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a2KePyO8Aw

University Esports Showcase – A Weekend of Rivalry and Respect

Saturday saw fierce competition between university clubs from across New South Wales in VALORANT and Rocket League, with students battling for pride, trophies, and bragging rights.

The final university standings were:

VALORANT Champions:

  • 1st Place: UNSW Esports
  • 2nd Place: UTS Esports
  • 3rd Place: USYD Society of Gamers

Rocket League Champions:

  • 1st Place: UON Esports Club
  • 2nd Place: UNSW Esports
  • 3rd Place: MQU Gaming

Thank you to all our university competitors for putting on a spectacular show.

Young Talent Shines in Minecraft CTF Schools Showcase

Sunday turned the spotlight onto the next generation of esports stars, as schools took to the Minecraft: Capture the Flag arena for a series of thrilling matches. The strategies were sharp, the builds were clever, and the excitement was contagious.

Minecraft CTF Schools Champions

  • 1st Place: Gymea Technology High School
  • 2nd Place: Caringbah High School
  • 3rd Place: Oxley Park Public School

Relive the Action: Sydney Esports Showcase Photo Album

The energy, the passion, the victories! Find yourself in the crowd and check out all the highlights from the weekend below, the full photo album is available at www.facebook.com/auesportsleague

An Interactive Zone Full of Energy

Away from the main stage, the AEL Zone buzzed with activity all weekend. The HyperX and Officeworks Soundwall let players experience pro-level gear, the Indomie Australia zone offered a relaxed space for casual gaming and noodles, and the AGON by AOC play wall stunned attendees with its crystal-clear displays and silky-smooth gameplay.

Every corner of the space was alive with laughter, competition, and discovery proving once again why the AEL Zone remains a highlight of every Oz Comic-Con stop.

A Heartfelt Thank You

A massive thank you to all the players, students, teachers, and university clubs who made the Sydney showcase a success. Your skill and enthusiasm continue to drive the growth of esports in Australia.

We also extend our deepest gratitude to our partners HyperX, Officeworks, AGON by AOC, and Indomie Australia for their ongoing support and for helping us deliver these amazing interactive experiences.

A special thank you to AMD and HP Omen for providing the high-end gaming PC’s powering the esports stage and enusring our student competitors enjoyed the highest in gaming quality.

And of course, a huge thank you to the Oz Comic-Con team for hosting another fantastic event.

Sep 17
Love0

Brisbane Esports Showcase Ignites Oz Comic-Con with Packed Crowds and Thrilling Victories

By Events, News, Schools, University Cup

QUT Respawn dominates the university stage while All Saints Parish, Albany Creek claims victory in a thrilling schools showdown, all within a vibrant AEL Zone that was the talk of the convention.

The Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre was buzzing with competitive energy this past weekend as the Australian Esports League (AEL) delivered an unforgettable showcase at Oz Comic-Con. From thrilling grand finals on the main stage to bustling free-play zones, the AEL Zone was a hub of non-stop action, drawing in massive crowds and highlighting the passion of Australia’s grassroots esports community.

The atmosphere was electric all weekend, with all 100 seats in front of the AEL Esports Stage consistently full, and standing spectators crowding around to catch a glimpse of the action.

QUT Respawn Claims Double Championship in University Showcase

Saturday was a story of domination, with QUT Respawn putting on a masterclass performance to secure the championship title in both VALORANT and Rocket League. The cross-town rivalries were fierce, with teams from Griffith University, Southern Cross University, and the University of Queensland all showcasing incredible skill and teamwork.

The final university standings were:

VALORANT Champions:

  • 1st Place: QUT Respawn
  • 2nd Place: Griffith Esports
  • 3rd Place: SCU Esports

Rocket League Champions:

  • 1st Place: QUT Respawn
  • 2nd Place: Griffith Esports
  • 3rd Place: University of Queensland

Congratulations to QUT for an incredible display, and to all our university competitors for putting on a spectacular show.

All Saints Parish, Albany Creek Conquers the Minecraft Arena

On Sunday, the spotlight turned to the next generation of esports talent. In a tense and strategic Minecraft: Capture The Flag final, students representing All Saints Parish, Albany Creek emerged victorious, showcasing brilliant teamwork to overcome the formidable runners-up from Lockyer District High School. The passion and sportsmanship on display were a testament to the bright future of scholastic esports in the region.

Relive the Action: Brisbane Esports Showcase Photo Album

The energy, the passion, the victories! Find yourself in the crowd and check out all the highlights from the weekend below, the full photo album is available at www.facebook.com/auesportsleague

A Buzz of Activity Beyond the Stage

The excitement wasn’t confined to the main stage. The entire AEL Zone was a hive of activity, packed with attendees eager to get hands-on.

The HyperX and Officeworks Soundwall proved to be a massive hit, with gamers lining up to experience pro-grade audio on our Xbox stations. The Indomie Australia Switch 2 zone was a popular spot to chill, play, and grab some noodles, while the AGON by AOC play wall drew in crowds with its stunning visuals and smooth gameplay.

A Massive Thank You

This incredible weekend would not have been possible without the passion and dedication of so many people.

A huge thank you to all the players, students, teachers, and university clubs who competed with such skill and heart.

Our sincere gratitude goes to our amazing partners: HyperX, Officeworks, AGON by AOC, and Indomie Australia. Your support allows us to create these amazing, interactive experiences for the community.

Thank you to the entire Oz Comic-Con team for being fantastic hosts and putting on an incredible event.

And finally, to every single attendee who watched a match, played a game, or just stopped by to see what was happening – thank you for bringing the energy and making the Brisbane Esports Showcase a roaring success. We can’t wait to see you at the next one!

Aug 07
Love0

VALORANT Joins the AEL University league – Elite Series Launches This Week!

By Events, News, University Cup

The Australian Esports League (AEL) is proud to announce the addition of VALORANT to its University League for Season 2. The fast-paced tactical shooter will feature across both the Open League and the Elite Series, with matches kicking off this Thursday night and running weekly until 25th September.

In the Elite Series, eight of Australia’s top university esports clubs will go head-to-head in an intense online season, with matches streamed live each Thursday on twitch.tv/auesportsleague. Fans can tune in and catch all the action as the best university sharpshooters showcase their skills – guided by our expert casters and production crew.

The stakes are high, with students competing for a share of Season 2 AEL University league $25,000 combined prize pool, thanks to our valued sponsors AGON by AOC, HyperX, and Indomie Australia. Prizes include high-performance gear and cash to reward the top performers across the league.

The competition culminates with the top two clubs from the Elite Series earning the chance to represent their universities live at PAX Australia, this Sunday 12th October. The national final promises to be a spectacle, with players battling it out on cutting-edge HP Omen PCs, using HyperX peripherals and AGON by AOC monitors in front of a live crowd.

This marks a major milestone for the AEL University League as we continue to grow competitive pathways for Australian students in partnership with global leaders in gaming. The inclusion of VALORANT reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality, inclusive, and aspirational esports experiences for university students nationwide.

“University esports in Australia continues to reach new heights, and we’re thrilled to welcome VALORANT to the AEL. We endeavour to always work with game publishers to support the grassroots ecosystem and expand the experience on offer to our community,” said Darren Kwan, Director of the Australian Esports League, “This is a fantastic opportunity for students to represent their clubs, sharpen their skills, and compete on a national stage.”

We welcome RMIT University Esports & Games, Melbourne University Esports, Macquarie University Gaming Society, Monash University Electronic Games Association, Swinburne University Esports, Deakin University Esports, UNSW Esports and UTS Esports.

We are excited to be supporting this initiative and bringing VALORANT into the AEL ecosystem. Together with our sponsors and university partners, we are building something truly special.

Stay connected, cheer on your university, and don’t miss the weekly matches as the road to PAX heats up!

For more updates, highlights, and fixtures, follow the Australian Esports League across social media and visit www.ael.org.au.

Let’s play. Let’s compete. Let’s build the future of Australian esports — together.