Tampa Never Sleeps Becoming Ownership Partner of CFGC
Graphic created by Phantone Studio.
After a years-long relationship between the two organizations, Tampa Never Sleeps will officially be taking an ownership stake in the Collegiate Fighting Game Conference. Together, we will continue to grow the collegiate fighting game scene, find new opportunities, and provide more support for our players to grow and succeed as competitors.
About CFGC
The Collegiate Fighting Game Conference was founded to provide a dedicated home for fighting games in the collegiate esports scene. While larger collegiate esports leagues may include fighting games in their competitive lineup, they are our bread and butter. Energy, hype, and a strong sense of community lie at the heart of the FGC and form the foundation of our organization’s values. Our mission goes beyond simply running brackets and polishing technical skills. CFGC has committed itself to creating a supportive environment and allowing players to meet their peers, compete with them, and build lasting connections within the broader FGC.
About Tampa Never Sleeps
Tampa Never Sleeps (TNS) was founded in 2011, serving as a regional tournament series for players across Florida. As the FGC grew (and COVID-19 led to online tournaments growing), TNS expanded nationally, eventually becoming a widely-recognized name and providing event operations and tournament support at every level of play. TNS staff have worked with some of the most prolific names in the tournament scene, including: CEO, DreamHack, Combo Breaker, and Evo. TNS has left a lasting mark on the competitive scene and continues to support players of all aspirations and all skill levels.
Partnership Details
TNS has supported CFGC previously by streaming semester finals, but this partnership allows them to contribute in new and more impactful ways. Tong, the founder of TNS, emphasized that this ownership stake is not about changing CFGC or redefining its mission, but instead to reinforce what we are already doing well. TNS hopes to provide more resources for the conference, experience for the leadership team, and visibility to the league that will help grow CFGC for years to come.
Community Impact
The partnership between TNS and CFGC will expand the opportunities for college-level competitors and help make their experiences more impactful. For CFGC players, many of whom already compete in TNS brackets, the connection will create a more unified experience and give players more chances to showcase their skills. This crossover creates invaluable learning opportunities not only for student players, but also for CFGC staff as they continue to grow alongside the league.
Competition aside, this partnership strengthens the potential for a larger collegiate fanbase. With fighting games being largely spectator-friendly and easy to understand, the visibility could lead to fierce rivalries and more engaged campus communities. By combining our focus on student players with the expertise of the TNS staff, both organizations are hopeful that the collaboration will fuel the growth of the collegiate fighting game scene.
Looking Ahead
Both CFGC and TNS see great potential in the future of fighting games. With millions of students enrolled at higher education institutions nationwide, Tong is hopeful that we will one day be able to engage thousands of collegiate competitors. The long-term goal of this collaboration is to establish CFGC as the premiere home for collegiate fighting game competition.
Through the partnership, both organizations will continue investing in our tournaments, making more resources available to CFGC staff and players, and giving fighting games a lasting home in the greater college esports landscape.
TNS Closing Words
Tong shared that the decision to become a part of CFGC came from the passion and dedication he saw in our leadership team. He made it clear that TNS isn’t looking to change CFGC, but to strengthen what we’ve already built. His hope is that this partnership will open the door for thousands of students to one day enjoy the same growth, competitive drive, and sense of community that the FGC has given him throughout his time in the scene.
CFGC Closing Words
The CFGC leadership team was incredibly excited to welcome TNS into our organization, especially considering the major impact that both Tong and his organization have had on the FGC as a whole. We are committed to being true to the FGC, doing what we can to grow the scene, and treating every day as an opportunity to make collegiate fighting game competitions bigger, stronger, and better for everyone involved.