PEORIA (Heart of Illinois ABC) – The Illinois High School Association is hosting its first-ever Esports sectional tournament this weekend at the Peoria Esports Complex.
Teams from 17 high schools are taking part, and the tournament will include popular games like Super Smash Bros., Rocket League and NBA 2K.
Organizers say Esports are gaining a lot of popularity lately, and high schools are starting to catch on by launching their own programs.
“Esports became a sport because it is all about teamwork,” Peoria Esports Complex co-owner Alex Elger said. “The strategies that you have to work together – you have to have great timing, you have to practice that timing in order for those plays to work in the game – is really key to what makes you good at any sports, and what makes Esports a sport in that aspect.”
Elger adds Esports are important because anyone can be an Esports athlete, regardless of their physical ability.
Across Illinois, 124 high schools have formed their own Esports teams, and Elger says more are in the works.
The tournament begins at 9:00 a.m. Saturday at the Peoria Esports Complex, located at 3225 North Dries Lane.
Copyright 2022 Heart of Illinois ABC. All rights reserved.
