TAMIU Esports to Host First-Ever Invitational for High School Students

Pull up, lock in, and let the Smash battles begin.

Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) Rec Sports will host its first-ever gaming tournament Saturday, April 18, beginning at 9 a.m. at the Western Hemispheric Trade Center, room 111.

The TAMIU Esports Invitational is free to attend and open to spectators. The event will also be livestreamed via Twitch at https://www.twitch.tv/tamiuesports

Esports high school teams from both Laredo ISD and United ISD schools, and Harmony School of Excellence, have been invited to compete for the top spots, both as teams and in the 1v1 bracket. Top awards will be given to the top three teams and top three players, respectively.

The invitational is an opportunity for students to compete and showcase their skills, affirmed Robert Garza, the University’s Rec Sports director.

“The TAMIU Esports Invitational serves as a platform for students to collaborate with their peers and represent their schools with pride in an environment that values both competition and personal development. We’re excited to host this event and look forward to watching these exciting matchups,” said Garza.

Hosted by the University’s Esports Program, student-athletes will be on hand for casting the event and running the tournament brackets. The University’s Esports Program has made significant strides within collegiate gaming, including finishing in the Top 8 at the 2025 Grand Finals LAN Tournament for the National Association of College Esports and finishing fourth in the nation during the Call of Duty: Vanguard Starleague National tournament.

For more information on the University’s Esports Program, contact Tania Silva, associate director of Rec Sports, via email at tania.silva@tamiu.edu or Eric Rodríguez, Esports specialist at eric.rodriguez@tamiu.edu. Learn more at https://go.tamiu.edu/esports.