Colorado High School Esports Participation Grows 40 Percent

The CHSAA fall 2026 esports season sees significant expansion with 928 student athletes across 70 schools.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in eSports

Colorado High School Esports Participation Grows 40 Percent

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Colorado student participation in esports surged by 40.2 percent during the fall 2026 season compared to the previous year. A total of 928 students joined school-sanctioned teams across the state, up from 662 participants in fall 2025.

Why it matters

The Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) adjusted its game offerings to align with student interest, leading to the successful debut of new titles. This expansion reflects broader state efforts to diversify competitive extracurricular options for students.

The fall 2026 season featured 143 teams across 70 high schools, with an average of 13.3 students per roster. Rocket League led participation with 351 students, followed by Marvel Rivals with 332 and Splatoon 3 with 245.

The players

Colorado High School Activities Association

The organization oversees competitive athletic and academic extracurricular activities for high schools across Colorado.

The details

CHSAA updated its game lineup by introducing Marvel Rivals to replace League of Legends and splitting Rocket League into separate 4A and 5A leagues. These changes were guided by the association's esports advisory committee to better meet student demand across the state.

Fall 2025 marked the previous esports season.
Fall 2026 served as the most recent season.

Season Trajectory

The expansion of the league structure, including the split of Rocket League into 4A and 5A brackets, mirrors the organizational approach used for traditional high school sports in Colorado. These structural updates are designed to foster competitive balance as esports participation rates continue to rise.

The introduction of 4A and 5A divisions for Rocket League means teams will face more equitable competition based on school size. Prospective participants should note that game titles are subject to change each season based on advisory committee reviews.

The takeaway

Student engagement in esports is rapidly transforming school-based competition formats in Colorado. Schools may consider prioritizing versatile game titles that maintain high student demand throughout the academic year.