Royal Oak, MI — The Swarm Esports teams continued to build momentum this spring, competing at a high level across multiple national leagues and tournaments. From deep playoff runs to national championship appearances, Baker College student-athletes showcased resilience, teamwork, and competitive excellence which proved once again The Swarm belongs among the top collegiate esports programs in the country.
VALORANT Dominates in PCL Play
Coming off a Top 6 LAN finish in the fall, The Swarm VALORANT team entered the Spring 2026 PlayVS College League (PCL) Premier season with confidence. The team secured impressive wins over several top programs, finishing the regular season 7–2. Throughout the regular season, The Swarm picked up strong wins against Virginia Commonwealth University, Rowan University, Brock University, Auburn University, High Point University, the University of South Florida, and Fisher College.
In the playoffs, The Swarm defeated St. John’s University before taking down #1 seed Harrisburg University in a standout upset. Their run ended in the semifinals against in-state rival Northwood University, earning a strong Top 4 finish in the PCL Premier season.
NECC Competition Leads to Nationals Bid
The Swarm continued their strong play in the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC), competing in Division 1 against elite programs such as Texas A&M University, the University of California – San Diego, Simon Fraser University, and the University of Akron, only losing out to Fisher College, California State Polytechnic University, and Grand Canyon University. Finishing the regular season 4–3, the team entered playoffs as the #8 seed.
After a competitive first-round matchup against North Carolina State University, The Swarm fell to the lower bracket and concluded their NECC playoff run. However, their combined fall and spring performance earned them an invitation to the NECC Nationals LAN in San Antonio, Texas, marking a major milestone for the program. With more than 50 schools in attendance at the four-day FORGE Scholastic Esports Championship LAN, the VALORANT team battled through a highly competitive Division 1 national bracket to earn a fourth-place finish and monetary prize winnings. After a victory against the University of North Carolina Wilmington in the quarterfinals, The Swarm ultimately concluded their season with a strong national showing against top collegiate esports programs from across the country.
Rocket League Builds in NACE and Beyond
In their first year competing in the NACE Varsity Plus division, The Swarm Rocket League team showed promise and consistency. Finishing the regular season 3–2 and earning the #5 seed, the team battled in the quarterfinals before concluding their inaugural year.
The team also competed in the Michigan State University Rocket League Championship LAN, gaining valuable experience against top in-state competition.
CVAL Run Highlights National Presence
The Swarm VALORANT team capped off the season with a strong showing in the College VALORANT (CVAL) league. After earning the #1 seed in their division and finishing third in the North Championship Division, the team secured a spot in the national tournament.
Facing top-tier competition, The Swarm advanced through the bracket before finishing Top 16 nationally, closing out an impressive spring campaign.
Looking Ahead
From conference play to national tournaments, The Swarm’s Spring 2026 season was defined by perseverance, growth, and high-level competition. With multiple playoff appearances, national recognition, and continued development across teams, the future of Baker College Esports remains bright. As The Swarm continues to build on this success, they are poised to reach even greater heights in the seasons ahead.
Baker College is an independent, private, non-profit institution that grants associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees on six campuses across Michigan and online. Founded in 1911, the institution’s mission is to provide an inclusive, innovative, and transformative educational experience, driven by a student-first philosophy. Learn more about the esports program, and follow on X, Meta, and Instagram. Sign up for a club team:Interest Form Stay connected: Esports Discord Follow The Swarm: Social Media