High School Esports League and NRG Esports Add Fortnite to Summer League

The top esports league for High Schools in the United States, High School Esports League (HSEL) have announced that Fortnite Battle Royale will be the competitive game for the upcoming Summer Open season.

Fortnite is fast becoming the most desirable and hottest topic in esports, after developer Epic Games announced it would be pledging $100m into prize pools over the 2018-19 season.

HSEL works with high schools across North America and pairing up with NRG Esports – one of the top NA esports organizations – are expanding into the Fortnite scene.

Hosting the first major Fortnite tournament at high school level is an inspired move, and one that should hopefully spread esports generally through the massively popular vehicle of Fortnite.

And the prizes for the winners should be very enticing for potential competitors, with the opportunity to play with top Fortnite player and NRG pro “Svenoss”.

But, the main prize could actually come from HSEL’s partnership with the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE), which will be scouting the tournament and could result in scholarships being on the line.

HSEL has clarified that participants do not necessarily need to be affiliated with their high school to take part, but provided they have eligible student ID can sign-up as a free agent, and team up with students from other schools.

Mason Mullenioux, CEO of High School Esports League, explained the decision to enter into Fortnite esports.

With the explosive rise of Fortnite, and colleges starting to offer more and more scholarships, making it our Summer Open title was a no-brainer.

Being the first to offer Fortnite, plus working with NRG eSports and Svennoss, really takes things to the next level. We’re thrilled to continue to create more opportunity and value for the students.”

NRG esports, who are backed by prominent investors including Shaquille O’Neal, claimed that they reckon Fortnite players could be the ‘future’ of esports.

“We’re thrilled to team up with High School Esports League for the first-ever Fortnite tournament at the high school level.

These players are the future of professional eSports and any chance we have to work with them to grow the sport is a top priority.”

Qualifiers for the Summer Open are live now through June 17th, and the league begins on June 18th.

And it is not just for PC and console players, as HSEL have announced that the Fortnite league will support iOS, PC, Xbox and PS4, all separated into different leagues for each platform.

The HSEL Summer Open also offers competition in a variety of other esports titles, including CS:GO, League of Legends, Overwatch and Call of Duty.

You can sign up for the HSEL and NRG Esports Fortnite Tournament right here.