Esports Ohio
Esports Ohio is a teacher-created, 501c3 nonprofit scholastic esports league running structured OHSAA-affiliated competitive seasons for Ohio middle and high school students via the LeagueOS platform, coaching certification, and NASEF-affiliated postseason tournaments.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersMount Blanchard, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Esports Ohio does
Esports Ohio is a teacher-created, IRS Certified 501c3 nonprofit (EIN: 84-2592869) that operates a scholastic esports league for middle and high school students across Ohio. Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Ohio, the organization runs structured competitive programs in five Premier-level games (Overwatch 2, Fortnite, Valorant, Rocket League, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate) for high schools and a portfolio of Club-level games (Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Chess, Minecraft Bedwars, Rocket League, Madden, Pokemon S&V) for grades 4-8. Its operations are administered through the LeagueOS competition portal, which provides a matchmaking/roster management system (Smart Queue), a required seasonal Coaching Certification program, All-Ohio recognition awards, and postseason OHSAA-affiliated state championships plus access to NASEF national tournaments.
The organization's revenue model combines a $100 annual school membership for the High School Sponsored Season (Sept-Mar) with sponsorship and donation inflows; middle school and mini seasons are offered free of charge. Distribution is school-based: coaches register teams through LeagueOS, complete coaching certification, and are supported by regional staff across four Ohio regions. The organization holds Certified NASEF Affiliate of Ohio status and a GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency, and operates headline partnerships with the University of Cincinnati Innovation (hosting the 24-25 regional at a 1,819-seat venue), the Ohio Army National Guard, and the PAST Foundation. Named participating schools include Dublin Coffman HS, Centerville HS, Sylvania Northview HS, Lorain HS, Springfield Local Schools, and Beavercreek HS. The organization has 1-10 employees, a Board of Directors-led governance structure, and does not disclose financials.
Esports Ohio firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Esports Ohio
- Legal name
- Esports Ohio
- Website
- https://esportsohio.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Esports Ohio is a teacher-created, 501c3 nonprofit scholastic esports league running structured OHSAA-affiliated competitive seasons for Ohio middle and high school students via the LeagueOS platform, coaching certification, and NASEF-affiliated postseason tournaments.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Esports Ohio industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Scholastic Esports League Services
- NAICS
- Sports Teams and Clubs (711211), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Collegiate/Scholastic Esports Programs & Leagues (MPAFADAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Collegiate & Scholastic Esports Tournaments (MPAGANAE), Collegiate Esports Leagues & Tournaments (MPAKANAG), Esports & Competitive Gaming Programs (EDALAIAO)
Keywords
Where Esports Ohio is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mount Blanchard
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Esports Ohio business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- School Membership Fees: High schools pay $100 per year ($103 with online fees) for sponsored season participation. Middle schools and mini seasons are free.
- Sponsorships and Donations: The organization operates solely on sponsorships and donations as a 501c3 nonprofit. Accepts tax-deductible donations via PayPal.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | High School Sponsored Season Membership |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Middle School Sponsored Season |
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | Mini Seasons (Fall and Spring) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels7 records
Esports Ohio product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Esports Ohio operates a statewide scholastic esports league for Ohio middle and high schools, providing seasonal competitive play across multiple game titles, coach certification, structured matchmaking through the LeagueOS platform, postseason state tournaments, and All-Ohio recognition awards. The organization enables schools to launch and sustain esports programs through guided registration, tiered competition levels (Premier, Reserve, Club), and pathways to national NASEF-affiliated competitions and college recruitment opportunities.
Product overview
Esports Ohio is a nonprofit educational esports league and league operator for Ohio middle and high school students, created by teachers. The organization operates primarily through the LeagueOS competition portal, which handles matchmaking, roster management, and season administration. Its product portfolio spans two student segments — High School (Premier/Reserve/Club tiers across Overwatch 2, Fortnite, Valorant, Rocket League, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, plus club-level games) and Middle School (club-level games including Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Chess, Rocket League, Minecraft Bedwars) — supported by a Coaching Certification Program, State Tournament postseason, All-Ohio/MVP recognition awards, and multiple seasonal tracks (Fall Mini Season, Sponsored Season, Spring Mini Season). Revenue is derived from a $100/school annual membership fee for the high school sponsored season and from sponsorships/donations.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- High School Sponsored Season
- Middle School Sponsored Season
- Coaching Certification Program
- State Tournament (Postseason)
- Fall Mini Season
- Spring Mini Season
Companies that use Esports Ohio
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Esports Ohio technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Esports Ohio partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- North American Scholastic Esports Federation (NASEF)coreOfficial NASEF Affiliate of Ohio. NASEF provides national framework, resources, and pathways for scholastic esports including college scholarship opportunities and national tournament structures that Esports Ohio connects Ohio schools to.
- University of Cincinnati InnovationflagshipUC hosted Esports Ohio's 24-25 Sponsored Season Regional at their 1819-seat venue, demonstrating partnership between higher education and scholastic esports. Provides visibility and legitimacy while offering students exposure to college esports pathways.
- Ohio Army National GuardminorMilitary partnership providing resources and support for esports programs. Ohio Army National Guard serves as a sponsor providing materials and potentially career exploration connections for student participants.
- PAST FoundationminorEducation-focused foundation supporting esports Ohio programs through sponsorship and resources for Ohio students.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Esports Ohio competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- PlayVS: National scholastic esports league platform partnering with NFHS and state athletic associations. Directly comparable as a competition infrastructure provider for high school esports, though at much larger scale and with a venture-backed tech platform versus Esports Ohio's nonprofit model.
- HSEL (High School Esports League): Multi-state scholastic esports league operating structured high school competition across the U.S. Comparable in school-based competition model with broader geographic reach and established tournament infrastructure.
Regional players
- Burbsec Esports League (Wisconsin): Wisconsin-based scholastic esports league supporting middle and high school competition. Comparable nonprofit state-affiliate model with similar tiered competition and coach certification components.
- Maine Scholastic Esports: State-level scholastic esports nonprofit in Maine serving schools with competitive leagues and NASEF-aligned programming. Closely comparable to Esports Ohio's geographic nonprofit model though serving a different state.
Others
- Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA): State governing body for Ohio interscholastic athletics that sponsors Esports Ohio's state championship. Adjacent enabler: OHSAA provides the legitimacy framework within which Esports Ohio operates its sponsored season.
Direct peers
- North American Scholastic Esports Federation (NASEF): National umbrella organization for scholastic esports of which Esports Ohio is the Ohio affiliate. NASEF sets the competition framework, resources, and college pathways that Esports Ohio implements locally — making it the closest structural peer.
- Garden State Esports (New Jersey scholastic league): Nonprofit scholastic esports league serving New Jersey middle and high schools. Highly comparable regional nonprofit model with NASEF affiliation and tiered competition structure, operating as a state-level peer.
- NASEF Farm League / NASEF Scholastic Programs: NASEF's direct scholastic programming and 'Farm League' pathways that mirror Esports Ohio's middle-school introductory tracks. Functionally a sibling program operating under the same national federation framework.
- CSL Esports (Collegiate Sports League): Operates structured esports leagues and tournaments for middle and high schools across multiple states. Compares to Esports Ohio in targeting scholastic competition with tiered skill levels and championship pathways.
Emerging players
- GridLeague Esports: Scholastic esports league platform running middle and high school competitions across multiple states. Similar operating model to Esports Ohio with tiered competition and school-based registration, but with broader geographic reach.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Esports Ohio social profiles
Digital presenceEsports Ohio compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Esports Ohio financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Esports Ohio leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Esports Ohio funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Esports Ohio M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Esports Ohio
What does Esports Ohio do?
Esports Ohio operates a statewide scholastic esports league for Ohio middle and high schools, providing seasonal competitive play across multiple game titles, coach certification, structured matchmaking through the LeagueOS platform, postseason state tournaments, and All-Ohio recognition awards. The organization enables schools to launch and sustain esports programs through guided registration, tiered competition levels (Premier, Reserve, Club), and pathways to national NASEF-affiliated competitions and college recruitment opportunities.
Is Esports Ohio a public or private company?
Esports Ohio is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Esports Ohio founded?
Esports Ohio was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Esports Ohio based?
Esports Ohio is headquartered in Mount Blanchard, United States, in the North America region.
How does Esports Ohio make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. School Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are sponsorships and Donations.
Who are Esports Ohio's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are PlayVS and HSEL (High School Esports League). Regional players are Burbsec Esports League (Wisconsin) and Maine Scholastic Esports. Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) is listed as an others. Direct peers are North American Scholastic Esports Federation (NASEF), Garden State Esports (New Jersey scholastic league), NASEF Farm League / NASEF Scholastic Programs and CSL Esports (Collegiate Sports League). GridLeague Esports is listed as an emerging player.
Does Esports Ohio have an API?
No public API is recorded for Esports Ohio.
What industry is Esports Ohio in?
Esports Ohio's product category is Scholastic Esports League Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFADAK, Collegiate/Scholastic Esports Programs & Leagues, with a secondary code of MPAGANAE, Collegiate & Scholastic Esports Tournaments. Its NAICS code is 711211 and its SIC code is 8200.