Beloit hosts Esports showcase for teams across the Midwest

BELOIT, WIS. (WIFR) – Organizers of the 2025 Eclipse Scholastic Esports Showcase said it’s the first of its kind event in Wisconsin: Teams gathered from across the Midwest to compete in Beloit Saturday.

Esports are becoming one of the fastest growing competitive activities in high schools. Event organizers said Saturday’s event is a milestone in Beloit’s rise as a regional leader in tech, innovation, and the sports gaming industry.

The Esports showcase was powered by Irontek, a coworking community and tech hub, alongside the Milwaukee Esports Alliance, and the Wisconsin High School Esports Association.

The event welcomed teams from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, North Dakota, Minnesota, and Michigan, all battling it out to win the title of ‘Midwest’s best.”

“Let’s go see what we can do that really hasn’t been done elsewhere around the state of Wisconsin, and so the answer to that was a showcase of this nature which brings in top talent from those Midwestern states to kind of battle against one another,” said Brandon Tschacher, the president of Milwaukee Esports Alliance.

The showcase features state champions from each of the Midwest states. The players battled in what they are say are two fan favorite games: Rocket League and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

“This kind of southern Wisconsin region has been a hot bed actually of scholastic Esports. What it has shown is where investment has been made, results and progress is happening,” explained Tschacher.

The event also welcomed universities so players could meet and interact with schools who can take their gaming to the next level.

Tournament competitor Joseph Watzka said he has been gaming most of his life and has created a rather ‘smashing’ resume in the Esports community.

“I’m the seventh in Wisconsin for PR, I’m the sixth best link in the world,” explained Watzka.

Watzka adds he is excited for the future of Esports, as organizers say it’s one of the fastest growing activities nationwide.

“I’m really excited, I’m really happy for it, I think if a new Smash Brothers comes out it’s going to be really big, and I’m very excited for that, I just hope they don’t butcher my character,” said Watzka.

Organizers say Wisconsin is starting to separate itself nationally as a destination for Esports and giving players the opportunity to grow.

Esports events usually take place in areas like Madison or Milwaukee, but organizers say they hope to have similar events in the Beloit area in the future.

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