Esports in Georgia

for education & economic development

The Georgia Esports League (GEL) was founded as a college esports property in 2017 by Todd Harris (COO, Hi-Rez Studios at the time) and Andrew Greenberg (Executive Director, Georgia Game Developer's Association).
At founding GEL was owned and operated by the GGDA, with Andrew Greenberg serving as GEL Commissioner.
The first State Championship Finals took place in October 15, 2017 at the Southern Interactive Interactive Entertainment and Game Expo (SIEGE) in Atlanta. The teams competed in Paladins and Brawlhalla, two popular esports games that were both developed in Georgia. The University of Georgia's esports team took first place in both divisions. Kennesaw State University came in second in both games.
In 2022 the Georgia Esports League was acquired by Skillshot Media and Ghost Gaming and relaunched in partnership with the Georgia Film Academy, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and founding member colleges and universities across the state of Georgia.
To date the Georgia Esports League has distributed over $20,000 in college scholarships.