Idaho State University held the grand opening of its Direct Communications Esports Arena on September 29, moving its varsity teams from a confined basement practice room to a dedicated venue in the Student Union Building.
A new home for ISU Esports
Located on the Student Union’s first floor, next to Chick-fil-A, the arena was funded by a $520,000 grant from Direct Communications. The company also supported enhancements to Direct Communications Field at Miller Ranch Stadium for the Lady Bengals softball team in 2025.
The venue includes more than 30 computer setups and a TV station equipped with an Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5. It also gives teams more room to practise together and provides a base for live broadcasts, adding both competitive and production capacity to a programme that has grown from three varsity teams in 2024 to five.
The shift brings a more collaborative setup for players, who can practise alongside teammates and review gameplay footage. Broadcasting coordinator Daniel Sheldon said the facility’s production capabilities put ISU’s output close to established programmes in the Northwest, including Boise State.
Teams, titles and access
The programme’s inaugural teams competed in Overwatch, Rocket League and VALORANT. Its current line-up also includes Super Smash Bros and Call of Duty, reflecting the range of games supported by the new space.
ISU’s Rocket League team finished first in the Big Sky Championship in each of the programme’s first two years, while its Overwatch and Super Smash Bros teams placed third in the spring Big Sky Championship Tournament. The results give the facility’s expanded practice resources an immediate competitive backdrop.
Live games are scheduled Monday through Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., with visitors welcome to watch from the arena. The university’s broader investment also speaks to the growing role of esports in higher education, where programmes combine competition with student-facing facilities and activities.
Open Play planned for 2027
For now, the computers and gaming systems are reserved for esports athletes. ISU plans to introduce Open Play for non-varsity students in 2027, with the aim of expanding access to students across disciplines during designated hours.
The teams are entering a busy period of matches and tournament preparation. Head Coach Charles Johnston said the Rocket League squad is committed to defending its back-to-back Big Sky Championship title, while the new arena is expected to support the teams as they continue to practise and compete.
Visitors can attend games at the Student Union venue, and ISU matches are also streamed through the Idaho State Esports Twitch channel. The planned Open Play hours will extend the facility’s reach beyond varsity competition when the university begins opening the systems to other students.
