Twelve University Teams Challenge Skills in ‘Rocket League’ March 8-10 at The Hangout, Local High School Students Invited to Play ‘Super Smash Bros.’ on March 10

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C.—Visit Myrtle Beach is proud to present the second annual collegiate esports competition, Boost at the Beach, March 8-10, 2024, at The Hangout in Myrtle Beach.

This year’s event has doubled in team size from six schools last year to 12 this year. Teams include two South Carolina universities, Clemson and South Carolina, along with Harrisburg, George Mason, Georgia State, Maryville, Michigan State, Northeastern, Ole Miss, Syracuse, UNC Charlotte and West Virginia.

The tournament is fully managed by students from Shenandoah University and Syracuse University with support from Coastal Carolina University’s Esports Club.

“We’re thrilled to be back and running Boost on the Beach with the Myrtle Beach CVB,” said Syracuse University Executive Director of Esports Joey Gawrysiak. “There was an overwhelmingly positive response from last year's award-winning event, and we’re looking to make it even bigger and better for this year’s iteration. It’s a great opportunity to collaborate with other universities to provide hands-on experiences for students to compete and run the event.”

The teams will play Rocket League, an action sports game from Psyonix. Group play begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday with the final bracket play kicking off at 11 a.m. on Sunday. On Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. at The Hangout, event officials will announce the brackets for the tournament play. Spectators can watch the competition in person or live on Twitch and YouTube.

Additionally, a high school level Super Smash Bros tournament will take place on Sunday starting at 10 a.m. On-site registration will be open for regional high school students prior to the tournament. Super Smash Bros Ultimate is a combat-based character competition published by Nintendo. 

“Last year’s Boost at the Beach was even more successful than we had hoped, and this year’s event is staged to be even more exciting with the field size doubling from six to 12 universities. Plus, the exposure this event will gain on Twitch and YouTube will once again highlight Myrtle Beach as a leading sports tourism destination in the country,” said Jonathan Paris, Executive Director of Sports Tourism, Visit Myrtle Beach.

Alienware, a leading gaming computer company, is providing all gaming PCs. Rally Cry, a gaming organization, will also support the tournament as a sponsor.

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Editor’s Note: Members of the media may contact MBACC Dir. of Communications Marlane White for further information at Marlane.White@VisitMyrtleBeach.com. Images of the 2023 Boost at the Beach can be downloaded HERE.

About Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Myrtle beach isn’t just a beach. It’s The Beach. Popularly known as the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach is one destination made up of 14 unique communities that stretch 60 miles along the northeast coast of South Carolina. Families, couples, and those in search of a warm welcome will find more than just a day at The Beach when they come together to connect and enjoy vibrant entertainment and family attractions, including world-class golf, shopping and fresh coastal Carolina cuisine. From the moment you arrive, you’ll find you belong at The Beach – Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. For additional information on tourism offerings in the Myrtle Beach area, visit visitmyrtlebeach.com or call (888) Myrtle-1.