M80 Partners With IMG Academy for Esports Camp in Florida

Key insights

6 takeaways

01
Esports organization M80 has partnered with IMG Academy to launch a hybrid esports training program for teens ages 12-18 at the IMG Academy campus in Bradenton, Florida.
02
The program focuses on three titles—Valorant, Rocket League, and League of Legends—and combines two weeks of online education with one week of on-site training.
03
The on-site training sessions are scheduled for June 2025: Valorant (June 9–13), Rocket League (June 16–20), and League of Legends (June 23–27).
04
The curriculum includes in-game strategy, teamwork, physical and digital development, and mental health training led by professionals such as M80 VP Don “Syyko” Muir and clinical director Edward Cleland.
05
M80 CEO Marco Mereu stated the partnership aims to provide a structured pathway for competitive gamers to pursue collegiate esports scholarships, noting that over 300 universities in North America currently offer such programs.
06
Applications for the hybrid training program are currently open to the public via the IMG Academy website.

Summary

The esports organization M80 has entered into a partnership with the sports education brand IMG Academy to launch a specialized training program for young gamers. Beginning in May 2025, the initiative aims to provide an elite, hybrid training experience for teenagers aged 12 to 18, focusing on three major titles: Valorant, Rocket League, and League of Legends. The program is designed to bridge the gap between amateur play and the professional or collegiate levels, addressing the growing demand for structured development in the North American esports ecosystem.

The curriculum utilizes a hybrid model, combining two weeks of online instruction with a week of intensive, on-site training at the IMG Academy campus in Bradenton, Florida. The program emphasizes a holistic approach to player development, incorporating in-game strategy, teamwork, and physical and mental health training. Instruction will be led by industry professionals, including M80’s Vice President of Esports, Don “Syyko” Muir, and Mind Body Esports Clinical Director Edward Cleland.

This collaboration highlights the increasing professionalization of grassroots esports, with M80 leadership citing the existence of over 300 university esports scholarships as a primary driver for creating clear pathways for aspiring talent. While the financial terms of the partnership remain undisclosed, the initiative represents a strategic effort to formalize training pipelines for the next generation of competitive players. Applications for the summer sessions are currently open, with specific dates scheduled throughout June for each of the three featured game titles.