Competitive gaming has a bigger home at Middle Tennessee State University. MTSU held a ribbon-cutting for its expanded Level Up Arena on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, and signed a partnership with XP League of Franklin, WGNS reports.
Where Is the MTSU Level Up Arena?
The arena moved from the second floor to the first floor of the Student Union Building, near Phillips Bookstore, to keep up with student demand. The upgrade is a $258,000 investment. It has areas for casual gaming, console play and competitive matches.
Students first pitched an esports arena in 2023, and MTSU turned a former computer lab into the original space.
The XP League Partnership
XP League, based in Franklin, bills itself as North America's largest youth esports league, serving more than 11,000 young players. Under the agreement:
- XP League provides professional coaching to students in the MTSU Esports club.
- MTSU provides weekend space in the Student Union Building atrium where middle and high school teams can train and compete.
MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee said the deal builds a direct bridge between youth and college esports.
Esports Degrees at MTSU
The arena supports two undergraduate programs MTSU launched last year:
- Esports and Gaming Content Creation in the Scott Borchetta College of Media and Entertainment
- Esports Coaching in the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences
College of Media and Entertainment Dean Beverly Keel said the space will help recruit students and open doors to emerging media careers. MTSU Esports Vice President Kyle Greaney said the university sits on "a gold mine of talent."
More From MTSU
MTSU also started building a $5.6 million cyber range with IBM this month; 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, near Phillips Bookstore.
Can high school esports teams play at MTSU?
Yes. Through MTSU's partnership with XP League, middle and high school teams can train and compete on weekends in the Student Union Building atrium.
Does MTSU have an esports degree?
MTSU offers two undergraduate programs: Esports and Gaming Content Creation, and Esports Coaching.
Where can I find the Level Up Arena hours?
MTSU posts the facility's details and hours at mtsu.edu/mtunions/levelup.
Source: WGNS.
*Illustration: AI-generated image of an esports arena; not MTSU's facility.*