Patrick Mahomes and Lionel Messi are coming back to high school, sort of.Β
The Arizona Interscholastic Association is adding Madden 21 and FIFA 21 to its selection of recognized varsity titleΒ esports offerings for high school students in Spring 2021.Β
Registered students will have the chance to compete for state championships in Madden 21 and FIFA 21, though competition is limited to the Play Station 4 console for both games.Β
Esports registrationΒ for Spring 2021 runs through Feb. 26 and the season begins March 1.
Here's a clearer breakdown of the season's structure:
- High school FIFA and Madden teams will compete in PlayVS High School leagues for AIA sanctioned varsity competition.
- Teams will be made up of three players. Teams will play three 1v1 matches, and whoever wins the best-of-three series will be declared the winner.
- Schools can register an unlimited number of teams.
- Top teams at the end of the season will advance to playoffs and compete for a state championship.
- FIFA matches are played weekly on Tuesdays and Madden matches are on Thursdays.
The two additions join League of Legends and Rocket League as AIA sanctioned esports.
AIA said the decision to add the two popular video game franchises to its esports model was based on the need to offer a "safe extracurricular environment" for students amid continued COVID-19 concerns and changes to the infrastructure ofΒ traditional sports.Β
Esports in AIA was first launched at the end of 2019. The inaugural state championship were held Feb. 2020 at a Dave & Buster's in Phoenix where BrophyΒ College Preparatory won state titles in Rocket League and League of Legends.Β
The popularity of esports continues to grow in Arizona. Legacy Sports Park, a massive 320-acreΒ family sports and entertainment complex set to open in Jan. 2022,Β will include a 75,000 square-foot esports arena among many other indoor and outdoor entertainment options.
