SYRACUSE, N.Y. (Sept. 12, 2025) — The Power Esports Conference (PEC) is back on center stage with the 2025 Kickoff, hosted this year by Syracuse University. On Saturday, September 20, four of the league’s biggest brands—Boise State, Michigan State, Nebraska, and Syracuse—will clash in Rocket League to open a new season of collegiate esports competition. The event, powered by Spectrum Industries, will be streamed live at twitch.tv/PowerEsportsConference.
This kickoff comes just months after Boise State Rocket League capped a dominant run at the PEC Championships in Las Vegas, defeating Michigan State in the Grand Finals in May. Michigan State had punched its ticket there after a grueling semifinal win over Nebraska, while Syracuse narrowly fell to the Cornhuskers in the losers finals. That history adds fuel to what already promises to be a set of phenomenal matchups.
Storylines to Watch
Boise State enters as the reigning powerhouse, fresh off titles in both Rocket League and Overwatch 2. Head coach Doc Haskell’s squad has turned consistency into a calling card, and they’ll look to send another early message that the road to the PEC crown runs through the Broncos.
Michigan State, meanwhile, remains the most consistent challenger. Victors of two PEC Championships as well, MSU has proven they know how to win. After falling short in Rocket League, the Spartans will have payback on their minds and a shot to reset the rivalry on opening day. Nebraska, still seeking its first PEC Rocket League title, comes in battle-tested and confident after its postseason run last year. And for Syracuse, hosting the Kickoff brings the chance to prove it belongs among the conference’s elite—the Orange nearly shocked Nebraska in Vegas, and now get the boost of home-crowd advantage.
Big Picture
With new programs Minnesota, Utah, and Baylor joining the PEC this fall, the field is deeper than ever. For the conference’s established programs, the Kickoff is about more than bragging rights, it’s about planting a flag early in what promises to be a landmark season for collegiate esports.