PlayVS expands reach with acquisitions of Generation Esports and Playfly College Esports
PlayVS, North America’s amateur esports platform, announced the acquisitions of Generation Esports and Playfly College Esports to expand its reach in competitive gaming.
With these strategic additions, PlayVS is uniting the entire scholastic esports ecosystem, from middle school through high school and college, into one powerful, connected pathway for student players, coaches, and educators, the company said. The combined company will have around 80 people.
By integrating Generation Esports and Playfly College Esports into its platform, PlayVS strengthens its mission to connect every level of scholastic competition, creating a seamless pipeline that supports students as they compete, develop skills, and pursue opportunities throughout their academic journeys.
These partnerships make PlayVS the undisputed leader in scholastic and collegiate esports, with the largest footprint across middle school, high school, and collegiate esports leagues, the company said. The agreement brings PlayVS into more than 900 colleges, ensuring that students have a clear and structured path from early competitive gaming to higher education opportunities.
“This is a historic moment for esports and gaming in schools,” said Jon Chapman, CEO of PlayVS, in a statement. “By bringing together Generation Esports and Playfly College Esports under the PlayVS umbrella, we are creating an unprecedented pathway for students to experience the benefits of gaming at every level. Whether they’re just getting started in middle school, competing in high school, or continuing their journey into college, students now have a unified platform to build life skills, connect with their peers, and access meaningful academic and career pathways.”
Beyond competition, this expanded network unlocks new ways for students to engage with gaming as a catalyst for both personal and academic growth. By fostering participation in esports, PlayVS helps students develop critical STEM and technology skills, preparing them for some of the most exciting and innovative careers of the future.
Generation Esports’ curriculum, Gaming Concepts, ensures that students are not only competing but also gaining real-world skills that will serve them in their professional lives. PlayVS goes far beyond gaming–the network is about career pathways, scholarships, and community impact.
Additionally, this expansion creates meaningful opportunities for mission-aligned partners to support the growing impact of scholastic and collegiate esports. With PlayVS’ expanded ecosystem reaching millions of Gen Z students across schools and colleges, there’s a unique chance to invest in the future of gaming, education, and youth development.
Brands and sponsors can now engage in esports through structured, values-driven programs that foster skill-building, connection, and community in educational settings.
“Esports has been a key part of Playfly’s investment thesis from the beginning, and we’re incredibly proud of the team that built and led our esports business,” said Craig Sloan, CEO of Playfly Sports, the parent company of Playfly Esports, in a staetment. “As they join PlayVS—an established leader in the esports landscape—we’re confident they will continue to thrive and make an even greater impact on the future of competitive gaming.”
In terms of vitals, PlayVS is the platform behind major scholastic esports leagues. They crown official state champions in titles ranging from League of Legends to Mario Kart to NBA 2K, across 40+ state and regional organizations in the U.S. and Canada. They’re active in 5,000+ schools and will add 900 colleges with this deal.
Asked how many people are in the companies, Chapman said in an email to GamesBeat, “Over 20 team members from Generation Esports and Playfly College Esports will be joining PlayVS as part of these integrations. We’re excited to welcome their teams, combining our talent and resources to better serve students, schools, and the broader amateur esports community.”
And asked why the timing is good for this, Chapman said, “This is the perfect time to bring these organizations together, as student-focused amateur esports is experiencing remarkable momentum with rising participation, growing impact in schools, and increasing community engagement across the country. We see this as a pivotal opportunity to unify scholastic and collegiate communities under one connected framework that can drive long-term growth, sustainability, and meaningful impact across the entire esports ecosystem.”
