Ferris State University to Host First-Ever Collegiate Fighting Game Conference National Championship LAN Finals
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
4/3/2026
Big Rapids, Mich. — The Collegiate Fighting Game Conference (CFGC) will bring the nation’s top collegiate esports competitors to Ferris State University for its 2026 National Championship LAN Finals, taking place April 17–19, 2026.
This landmark event marks the first in-person (LAN) finals in CFGC history, showcasing the best collegiate fighting game players from across the country competing live for national titles within the top division of CFGC (Division 1).
The championship is the culmination of CFGC’s Spring 2026 season, a semester-long competition featuring top fighting game titles, including Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, Guilty Gear: Strive, and the newly added 2XKO.
A Milestone Moment for Collegiate Esports
After years of online competition, the 2026 Finals represent a major step forward for the collegiate fighting game community, bringing players together on a national stage for an in-person championship experience.
“Hosting the first CFGC LAN Finals is a huge milestone—not just for our program, but for the entire collegiate fighting game community,” said Adam Antor, Assistant Professor of Professional Esports Production at Ferris State University. “We’re excited to welcome top players from across the country to Big Rapids and showcase the growth of competitive fighting games at the collegiate level while also providing opportunities for our students to continue to gain real-world experience putting on large esports events.”
The event will be livestreamed on Twitch at twitch.tv/tampaneversleeps, with the entire broadcast production led and executed by Ferris State University Professional Esports Production students, providing hands-on, real-world esports production experience.
Event Overview
Event: CFGC National Championship LAN Finals
Dates: April 17–19, 2026
Location: Ferris Esports Arena, Center for Virtual Learning, Ferris State University, Big Rapids, Michigan
Competition: Top collegiate fighting games competitors
Titles Featured: Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, Guilty Gear: Strive, 2XKO
Livestream Channel: www.twitch.tv/tampaneversleeps
The LAN Finals will consist of the Top 16 competitors from each of the 4 game titles, with only the highest-performing player in each title being crowned the national champion.
More Than a Tournament
Beyond competition, the event aims to celebrate the growth of collegiate esports and foster community among players, programs, and fans. Attendees can expect:
High-level competitive matches
Community-focused activities and open play opportunities
Networking and collaboration across collegiate esports programs
“As both the head of Ferris Esports and a member of the CFGC Advisory Board, I am incredibly excited to see the vision that so many of us, students and leaders across both organizations, have worked together to plan finally come to life. My time on the advisory board has shown me just how genuinely committed my fellow advisors and CFGC leadership are to the student experience and the development of their professional futures,” says Justin Summe, Head of Esports at Ferris State.
About CFGC
The Collegiate Fighting Game Conference (CFGC) is dedicated to supporting and growing the collegiate fighting game community by providing structured competition, inclusive opportunities, and pathways for player development across multiple titles. For further questions regarding CFGC, please reach out to CFGC Admins via e-mail at info@collegiatefgc.com
