Esports Students Help Power Hastings Games Fest 2026

East Sussex College students played a key role in delivering the esports element of Hastings Games Fest 2026, a two-day celebration of gaming, esports and interactive entertainment held at the White Rock Theatre.

Now in only its second year in Hastings, the festival continues to grow, bringing together competitive gaming, classic arcade experiences, board games and creative industry showcases. The event is organised by Guildhall Trust, which owns venues in both Hastings and Portsmouth and has ambitions to build a connected South Coast games community.

As part of the festival, Esports students from the College’s Lewes campus were set a real-world brief to project manage and deliver the esports element of the event, putting their technical, organisational and teamwork skills into practice.

Students were responsible for every aspect of their area of the festival, from organising the transportation and setup of specialist computer equipment, to managing competitions, scheduling gameplay and supporting live audiences.

Competitive matches included Rocket League, Overwatch and Valorant, with gameplay live streamed on Twitch for online viewers. Our team went up against students from Bexhill College, DV8, and ESC at Ore Valley – and we’re proud to say our teams played well, winning Overwatch and just missed out to Bexhill in Rocket League, Bexhill also scooped the Variant trophy.

All the winning teams were awarded trophies, medals and certificates, and the MVP- Most Valuable Player in each winning team was awarded a Corsair gaming bundle supplied by our friends at Scan computers.

The esports area filled much of Studio 27 at the venue, with spectator seating allowing visitors to watch matches unfold live. Alongside competitive play, students also ran interactive activities for the public, including Mario Kart sessions and racing simulators, where guests could compete for the quickest lap times and win trophies and certificates.

Elsewhere in the venue, visitors could explore market stalls, board games and tabletop gaming inside the theatre space, while the upstairs bar area featured a popular row of classic arcade machines, including Pac-Man, Space Invaders and Street Fighter.

Ian Golledge, Deputy Head of Curriculum for Creative and Digital at East Sussex College, said the event offered students invaluable experience working in a live industry environment.

“Events like Hastings Games Fest give our students the opportunity to apply what they’re learning in a real-world setting,” says Ian. “They weren’t just playing games - they were managing logistics, running competitions, engaging the public and delivering a professional live-streamed event. These are exactly the kinds of skills employers in the creative and digital industries are looking for.”

He added, “The students took real ownership of their space within the festival, and it was great to see them working confidently as a team in a busy public venue. It’s a brilliant example of how education and industry can come together.”

The event organiser from Guildhall Trust highlighted the importance of growing gaming culture along the South Coast, with plans already underway to develop future collaborations between Hastings and Portsmouth - including the potential for a Hastings vs Portsmouth games competition later this year.

Curt Hill, Event Manager at The Guildhall Trust, said, “East Sussex College brought incredible energy and expertise to Hastings Games Fest 2026. Their Esports teams delivered thrilling exhibition matches, while also creating interactive experiences that invited attendees to take part.

“The students were fantastic ambassadors for both the College and the wider esports industry. They engaged with visitors throughout the weekend. Their involvement elevated the event and helped showcase everything that esports has to offer”

Nick Coles, Director of Events at The Guildhall Trust, said, “I’d like to extend a sincere thank you to East Sussex College for the energy & commitment they brought to Hastings Games Fest. Their resident Esports teams created a real competitive buzz with their exhibition matches, while also giving attendees the chance to get involved and experience esports first hand.

“The students represented the College brilliantly and their contribution added real depth to our programme and helped strengthen the connection between education, industry and the local gaming community.”

With ambitions to expand the festival and strengthen regional connections across the creative and digital industries, Hastings Games Fest continues to provide exciting opportunities for students, professionals and gaming fans alike, and we look forward to supporting the event each year as it continues to grow.