XP League Hosts 2024 North American Finals at Full Sail

Published Jul 31, 2024

XP League Hosts 2024 North American Finals at Full Sail

The country’s largest youth esports league invited players from across North America to Full Sail’s campus for two days of competitive play.

The stage in Full Sail’s Live Venue appears in the background of a row of players seated at gaming stations during the XP League North American Finals.

Full Sail University is proud to have recently served as the host site and title sponsor for the XP League 2024 North America Finals, the largest youth LAN competition to date. More than 250 of the top youth esports players from across North America traveled to Winter Park to compete for a claim to the year’s trophies and bragging rights in titles including Rocket League, Apex Legends, Valorant, Overwatch, and Fortnite.

Over 700 visiting players, coaches, and spectators filled the Full Sail Live Venue and the Full Sail University Orlando Health Fortress over two days of competitive play. Utilizing two of the campus’s industry-standard live event spaces, players got to experience the thrill of a professional esports setting while demonstrating their skills in gameplay, communication, and sportsmanship.

Our students, grads, and staff produce this entire event, serving in roles in tournament organizing and directing, graphics, gameplay, casting and hosting, production, tech support, and more, which further showcases the multitude of potential career paths available within esports and gaming.”

“[Full Sail’s] expertise in event management and production elevated the quality of the event, providing our players with a high-end competitive environment. Full Sail's commitment allowed us to integrate our mission at Unleashed Brands with XP League's goals, creating a meaningful platform for our players to learn, play, and grow,” shares Whitney Navarro, Managing Director of Foundation & Events with XP League parent company, Unleashed Brands.

Staff, students, and graduates worked across a variety of roles to create a seamless experience for players, attendees, and online viewers in Full Sail’s fourth year as a production partner. Overseeing gameplay stations for more than 70 teams on more than 100 PCs across both venues, Full Sail’s student event crew and Armada volunteers worked with staff and XP League’s HQ team to provide players with an unforgettable experience.

“Our students, grads, and staff produce this entire event, serving in roles in tournament organizing and directing, graphics, gameplay, casting and hosting, production, tech support, and more, which further showcases the multitude of potential career paths available within esports and gaming,” says Full Sail Director of Esports, Sari Kitelyn.

Graduates Mia Eremita and Jess Reider served as hosts during the two days of competition while students and grads studying in sportscasting and game business programs Brittanny “Sodapressing” MacCleod, Kyler “Redroke” Grant, Noah “Runner” Bray, and Quinn “Qolorblind” Sherr cast over gameplay for the livestream alongside casters from the XP League organization.

Three esports players and their coach are on stage accepting an award, the player in the middle is holding the award overheard.

XP League team Austin Hydra Platinum accepting their first place Fortnite trophy with coach Daniel “Takasu” Hernandez and XP League CEO Carisa Findley.

Former Full Sail Armada Vice President Daniel “Takasu” Hernandez – who runs the XP League location in Austin, Texas – brought his team to the grand finals where they took home the first place trophy in Fortnite, while fellow graduate Michael "Hervmaster" Hervieux also led a team in competition during the event.

XP League gave back to Full Sail students and their contributions to the event by providing $30,000 in Full Sail scholarship funds to four students involved in the event working in roles in casting, gameplay organization, and more.

“Supporting Full Sail students through scholarships at this event is crucial for XP League. It allows us to invest in the education and future careers of aspiring esports and production industry professionals, ensuring that talented individuals have the resources they need to succeed,” says Whitney. “This investment not only strengthens the talent pool within the industry but also aligns with our shared commitment to nurturing young talent and fostering innovation.”