Esports News

New Mexico Esports Continues to Grow

Posted April 30, 2026, 11:35 AM. Updated April 30, 2026, 2:44 PM.

The New Mexico Activities Association held the 2026 Esports State Championship Finals at Berna Facio on April 23-25, with more than 50 high schools and close to 5,000 students participating in the spring season.

The New Mexico Activities Association held the 2026 Esports State Championship Finals at Berna Facio on April 23-25, with more than 50 high schools and close to 5,000 students participating in the spring season. With 10 titles offered, students were able to compete in League of Legends, Splatoon 3, Super Smash Bros, Rocket League, Mario Kart 8, Hearthstone, Madden NFL 26, Street Fighter 6, Overwatch 2, and Marvel Rivals.

Albuquerque Public Schools had three state winners as overall champions: La Cueva High School took 5A overall championship with 1st place, Early College Academy was runner-up/2nd place in 2A as overall champions, and Del Norte High School placed 3rd in state in 3A as overall champions. In individual games, Sandia won 5A Overwatch Championship; Manzano won 5A Street Fighter and Smash Bros Championships, ECA won 2A Rocket League Championship, La Cueva won Madden NFL. Unified Esports in Mario Kart had Sandia in 1st place, and Del Norte in 2nd place. Unified Esports in Rocket League had Albuquerque Sign Language Academy in 1st place and La Cueva HS in 2nd place.

Esports allows students to participate in an inclusive activity that supports skill development, STEM growth, increased socialization and engagement, and paves the way for college and career pathways. "New Mexico is known throughout the country as one of the biggest states for esports," noted JD Mead, Portales High School Esports Coach. And, Gary Allison, NMAA Assistant Director of Sports added, "We are one of the largest participating states with the least amount of population."

The three-day event was highlighted by large crowds attending daily, and this was more than students and coaches, it was a true community event with attendees from around the state. Esports has grown tremendously since 2018 when the NMAA first got involved.

Throughout the event, students receive medals in individual games with state titles awarded to schools through an overall point system accumulated throughout the season and at the event. For the second year in a row, Unified Esports was represented with teams onstage competing in Mario Kart and Rocket League. Congratulations to all participants and to all the state title winners.

State Title Winners