LOS ANGELES, Calif. – [August 11, 2026] – PlayVS, North America’s leading scholastic and collegiate gaming platform, today announced a renewed partnership with Emerge Apparel, naming Emerge the official jersey provider for the PlayVS ecosystem. The reunion brings two longtime esports brands back together and expands their work beyond scholastic competition to include the PlayVS College League (PCL).
Through the partnership, middle school, high school, and collegiate esports programs in the PlayVS community will have access to custom team jerseys and apparel designed to help players compete with pride and represent their schools. Emerge’s design and merchandise expertise will provide programs with a streamlined path from concept to finished gear, whether they are building a team identity for the first time or refreshing an established look.
Emerge’s 20% profit-sharing model will also allow schools to use their custom storefronts as a fundraising tool for their esports programs. By managing the design, production, ordering, and fulfillment process, Emerge will make it easy for programs to outfit their teams, showcase their identity, and raise funds without having to coordinate each step on their own.
PlayVS and Emerge first partnered in 2023 to make custom esports apparel and team storefronts more accessible to high school programs. During the initial partnership, more than 100 high schools launched Emerge stores and purchased custom apparel through the platform. Now, the companies are reconnecting to build on that success and help more competitors, coaches, and schools showcase their team identity and pride through custom apparel.
“Some partnerships just fit, and we are excited to welcome Emerge back to the PlayVS community,” said Aaron Kelley, Head of Marketing at PlayVS. “Emerge understands what esports programs need from a jersey partner: great design, incredible customer service and gear that gives students a stronger sense of team identity. Expanding this relationship into collegiate competition allows us to create a more consistent experience for players and programs at every level.”
“We are thrilled to reunite with PlayVS and once again support the schools, coaches and players who make this community special,” said Matthew Worsman, founder of Emerge Apparel. “Both organizations have grown since we first worked together, and bringing Emerge apparel to the PlayVS College League makes this next chapter even more exciting. We cannot wait to help teams look and feel their best when they compete.”
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to elevating the student esports experience. By pairing PlayVS competition with Emerge’s custom apparel and branding services, programs can build stronger visual identities, celebrate their players and create a team experience that feels every bit as meaningful as traditional school athletics.
Schools looking to start their custom apparel journey for the upcoming school year can fill out the onboarding form and Emerge team will work to bring their designs and stores to life.
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About PlayVS
PlayVS is North America’s leading scholastic and collegiate gaming platform, helping students unlock the educational, social and personal benefits of competitive gaming. The company brings together students, coaches, educators and schools through structured, education-aligned competition and curriculum across K-12 and college. PlayVS is the official esports partner of the NFHS Network, the Special Olympics and state and regional organizations across the U.S. To learn more, visit playvs.com.
About Emerge Apparel
Emerge makes high school and collegiate esports team gear easy. From design and complete storefront setup to our revenue-generating profit-sharing model, Emerge takes the pain out of custom esports apparel.
Driven by a passion for design and branding, our team delivers exceptional quality and customer service with industry-leading turnaround times. We don’t nickel-and-dime our customers with storefront setup fees. Instead, we foster their growth by giving a portion of every sale back to their programs.
We understand that most of our customers are educators and coaches working overtime with little or no budget. We’re here to ease that burden every step of the way. Making your team look professional is simply a byproduct of the passion we bring to everything we do. Get started today at EmergeApparel.gg
