Riot to fund $500,000 in esports classroom projects

Riot Games will provide $500,000 for gaming and esports-related classroom resources requested by teachers at eligible public schools in California, Texas and New York through DonorsChoose. The funding will be released in stages linked to the League of Legends World Championship schedule.

The resources may connect gaming and esports with science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Projects may also include equipment and programs that help students develop problem-solving skills and learn about careers in game design, esports and technology.

The tournament is scheduled to begin with the play-in stage on Oct. 15 at Riot Games Arena in Los Angeles. The Swiss stage, quarterfinals and semifinals are scheduled for the Credit Union of Texas Event Center in Allen, Texas. The grand final is scheduled for Nov. 14 at Barclays Center in New York.

Funding connected to each location will become available when the tournament reaches the corresponding stage. After the championship, Riot will match donations nationwide to teachers’ gaming and esports projects until the remaining funds are used.

The initiative is scheduled to launch on GivingTuesday, the U.S. charitable-giving day held on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. This year’s event falls on Dec. 1. DonorsChoose has not disclosed how much funding will go to each state or project.

“Students thrive when learning taps into their passions,” DonorsChoose CEO Alix Guerrier said. “Riot Games continues to support public school teachers with resources to help students build peer connections and explore careers in STEM. This is a model for what it looks like to tap into a student’s potential.”

Riot has supported DonorsChoose’s education programs since 2023 and has funded more than $1 million in gaming and esports-related classroom resources for public school teachers through the nonprofit.

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