MTSU Opens Bigger Esports Arena, Partners With XP League for Area Middle and High Schoolers

MTSU cut the ribbon Sept. 22 on its expanded $258,000 Level Up esports arena in the Student Union Building and signed a partnership with XP League of Franklin, which will bring youth teams to campus on weekends.

Competitive gaming has a bigger home at Middle Tennessee State University. MTSU held a ribbon-cutting for its expanded Esports Level Up Arena on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, and signed a partnership with XP League of Franklin, according to MTSU News.

Where Is the MTSU Level Up Arena?

The arena moved from its original second-floor space to the first floor of the Student Union Building, next to the North Commons and Phillips Bookstore, because of growing student interest. MTSU says the larger, more permanent space is a $258,000 investment. It has casual gaming, console gaming and competitive gaming areas and is open to all MTSU students.

Students first approached university administrators with the idea of an esports arena in 2023, and MTSU turned an old computer lab into the original space.

The XP League Partnership

MTSU describes XP League of Franklin as the largest youth esports league in North America, with more than 11,000 kids participating. The partnership was signed in the Student Union Building atrium after more than a year of conversations. Under the agreement:

• XP League provides professional coaching to students in the MTSU Esports club.
• MTSU provides weekend space where XP League's middle and high school esports teams can train and compete.

"Together we are creating a bridge between youth and collegiate esports and expanding opportunities available to students and families throughout our region," MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee said. XP League of Franklin co-founder Alex Rieffel said, "I'm grateful to MTSU for believing in what we're building."

Esports Degrees at MTSU

MTSU launched two undergraduate concentrations last year:

• Esports and Gaming Content Creation in the Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment
• Esports Coaching, offered by Leisure and Sport Management in the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences

"Today, we are cutting a ribbon — but we are also opening a door: a door to new students, new partnerships, new careers and new possibilities," said Beverly Keel, dean of the College of Media and Entertainment. MTSU Esports Vice President Kyle Greaney, a video and film production student from Memphis, said, "We are sitting on a gold mine of talent."

More From MTSU

MTSU also started building a $5.6 million cyber range with IBM in September; read MTSU and IBM Start Building a Cyber Range. For campus information, see the MTSU guide. Families looking for more for kids and teens can check kids activities in Murfreesboro and Flashback Arcade.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the MTSU esports arena?

The Level Up Arena is on the first floor of MTSU's Student Union Building, next to the North Commons and Phillips Bookstore.

Can high school esports teams play at MTSU?

Yes. Through MTSU's partnership with XP League of Franklin, the league's middle and high school teams can train and compete in MTSU space on weekends.

Does MTSU have an esports degree?

MTSU offers two undergraduate concentrations: Esports and Gaming Content Creation, and Esports Coaching.

Where can I find the Level Up Arena hours?

MTSU posts the facility's details at mtsu.edu/mtunions/levelup.

Source: MTSU News: MTSU invests in esports future with expanded Level Up Arena, XP League partnership.

*Illustration: AI-generated image of an esports arena; not MTSU's facility.*