PlayVS and Urban One Reveal Power4+ HBCU Esports League Road Map: Titles, Schedules, and LAN Finals

Today, PlayVS and Urban One’s Power4+ HBCU Esports League, in partnership with the Advisory Committee, is proud to officially roll out its inaugural competition schedule. Built to bridge opportunity gaps while establishing a structured pathway for Black gamers, the league’s road map connects collegiate talent across three major pillars: a Fall Invitational, a multi-title Spring Season, and an in-person LAN Championship at North Carolina A&T’s brand-new facility.

Ready to sign-up? Head over to the Power4+ HBCU Esports League website. Registration is open now.

The Fall Invitational

Power4+ kicks off with the Fall Invitational, the league’s inaugural event bringing HBCU school pride and exciting competition to the spotlight while giving fans a first look at what’s coming this spring.

• Date: November 15, 2026
• Featured Title: Super Smash Bros.™ Ultimate (Solos)
• Format: 32-player double-elimination knockout bracket
• Match Breakdown: Best of 3 throughout opening rounds; Best of 5 for Upper Finals, Lower Semifinals, Lower Finals, and Grand Finals

The Spring 2027 Regular Season

Starting in late January, the regular season brings a structured 6-week, swiss schedule across six popular titles spanning sports simulation, strategy, fighting, and tactical team play. Each week, players and teams will be paired up with opponents that have similar season records.

Supported Titles

1. Chess.com (1v1)
2. College Football (1v1) — Supported by EA Sports, providing official game codes for all participating institutions.
3. Marvel Rivals (6v6)
4. Rocket League (3v3)
5. Super Smash Bros.™ Ultimate (1v1)
6. Super Smash Bros.™ Ultimate (4v4 "Crews")

Weekly Regular Season Match Schedule

All matches will take place at a consistent time each weeknight: 7:30 pm ET.

2027 Spring Calendar

• Week 1: January 25, 2027
• Week 2: February 1, 2027
• Week 3: February 8, 2027
• Week 4: February 15, 2027 (Presidents' Day, Monday matches rescheduled to Tuesday)
• Week 5: February 22, 2027
• Week 6: March 1, 2027

Postseason & Live LAN Finals at NC A&T

Following the 6-week regular season, playoffs unfold across two tiers, giving the league’s top programs a stage to shine while ensuring every school has the opportunity to compete in the postseason.

Division 1 Playoffs & In-Person Finals

The top 8 teams overall will enter the Division 1 Playoffs, beginning their postseason journey online where they’ll fight for a chance to attend the LAN event, which will feature the top 4 teams per title:

• Championship R8 Play-in: March 6–7, 2027
• LAN Day One: April 3, 2027
• LAN Day Two: April 4, 2027

Division 2 Playoffs

Remaining teams will enter the Division 2 Playoffs, where they’ll compete for pride in a fast-paced postseason weekend:

• Round of 8 & Round of 4: March 6, 2027
• Finals (Round of 2): March 7, 2027

The Destination: North Carolina A&T’s Esports Arena

North Carolina A&T State University’s state-of-the-art esports arena will set the stage for the premier LAN Finals, bringing the league’s top programs together for a live championship showdown. Located on the first floor of the Student Center and led by Esports Coordinator Nicholas Martin, the facility serves as both a stage for high-stakes competition and an interdisciplinary ecosystem.

Student broadcast and journalism majors will also manage live tournament streams using industry-grade production equipment, gaining hands-on career experience while bringing the action to fans watching from afar. Whether cheering in person or tuning in remotely, fans can watch the competition unfold as the Power4+ champions are crowned.

To learn more, you can check out the full event release HERE.