Thompson High School recently hosted the Warrior Invitational, a statewide LAN Esports tournament that brought together high school teams from across Alabama for a day of in-person competition and connection.
The event welcomed 190 student players representing 13 schools, including Alabama Aerospace and Aviation High School, Bob Jones High School, Calera High School, Charles Henderson High School, Corner High School, East Lawrence County High School, Hoover High School, Vestavia Hills High School, Lawrence County High School, Lee High School, Leeds High School, Sparkman High School, and W.P. Davidson High School.
Students competed across a wide variety of game titles, including Super Smash Bros, Madden 26, NBA 2K26, Rocket League, Marvel Rivals, Mario Kart, Street Fighter 6, and Splatoon 3. The diverse lineup allowed competitors of all interests and skill sets to participate and showcase their talents.
In addition to high school teams, representatives from Huntingdon College, University of Montevallo, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and University of Alabama at Huntsville were in attendance, providing students with valuable opportunities to connect with collegiate Esports programs.
The Warrior Invitational was designed to give students a chance to compete in person, build relationships with peers across the state, and gain exposure to collegiate opportunities.
“This year’s Warrior Invitational was an incredible success,” said Cole Pruitt. “Seeing students from across Alabama come together to compete, connect, and share their passion for gaming is exactly what this event is all about. We’re proud to continue growing opportunities for students in Esports.”
The tournament was made possible through the support of sponsors including Dell, Alienware, and Clear Winds.