RIT Esports prepares to officially launch multiple new competitive teams for the fast growing game Marvel Rivals this fall

Rochester, New York – Rochester Institute of Technology is once again expanding its competitive esports footprint. This fall, RIT Esports will officially debut its new Marvel Rivals teams, giving students a chance to compete in one of the fastest-rising games in the collegiate esports landscape.

Marvel Rivals, a hero shooter game with fast-paced mechanics and team-based play, was first released in late 2024. In less than a year, it has developed a strong competitive following, drawing comparisons to Overwatch 2 in both gameplay and structure. For RIT, which already boasts one of the largest collegiate esports programs in the country, adding Marvel Rivals was a natural step toward staying at the forefront of emerging titles.

RIT Esports tested the waters earlier in 2025 with trial squads. Those early experiments gave players and coaches insight into how the game might fit into the university’s competitive ecosystem. Now, the program is fully committing by forming official Division I, II, and III rosters for the 2025–26 academic year.

Tryouts for Marvel Rivals will take place on September 6 and 7 through the RIT Marvel Rivals Discord server. Students interested in other esports programs will also find a slate of tryouts early in the semester across RIT’s growing roster of teams. With more than 21 competitive titles currently represented—including Rocket League, Hearthstone, and League of Legends—the program gives opportunities for a wide range of players.

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Behind the scenes, RIT Esports operates like a full-scale organization. More than 200 competitive players are supported by a 2,600-member community, along with student-led operations teams. Those operations units handle broadcasting, production, events, video, marketing, and even jersey design. The structure has made RIT one of the most respected collegiate esports organizations worldwide, a reputation that has only grown since the university began awarding esports scholarships in 2025. Twelve scholarship recipients are now competing under the RIT banner, marking a new era of recognition for student-athletes in gaming.

For Donovan Gallagher, a second-year global business management student from Fairfield, Conn., the launch of Marvel Rivals teams is both exciting and personal. Gallagher served as captain of one of the trial squads last spring. His leadership helped his team qualify for the ECAC Esports Marvel Rivals Collegiate Open playoffs, where RIT placed among the top 16 schools nationwide.

Gallagher says his passion for esports goes back years.

“I loved playing video games when I was a kid, it felt like an escape for me. As I got older, I got more competitive. In high school, I put together the Fairfield Ludlowe Falcons esports team, which quickly became my friends. We placed third in the 2023 EGF High School Nationals for Overwatch 2 and took first place in 2024. That feeling of winning after years of hard work and planning was something I still chase to this day, and I want the same for our own RIT Marvel Rivals community,” Gallagher explained.

He admits that venturing into a new title comes with challenges, but also opportunities.

“Thankfully, we’re not totally in the dark when it comes to exploring this game’s potential and strategies. The game was created with the idea of esports in mind, and a lot of the mechanics and gameplay are similar to Overwatch 2. We have spent a lot of time trying out different teams compositions based on the most powerful characters in the game and experimenting in custom matches and scrimmages. A huge part of the game is having a solid understanding of teamwork, communication, and mechanics,” he said.

Gallagher is eager to try out again this fall, aiming for a spot on one of the new rosters. Players who make the cut will face a structured schedule designed to balance competition with academics.

“Each roster will play two matches a week. Based on last year’s run, players on a roster can expect additional practices and VOD reviews, where you watch matches back through the replay system and take notes. The schedule is crafted based on each team member’s availability,” Gallagher said.

As for his own playstyle, Gallagher gravitates toward frontline roles.

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“I play characters with the Tank role in Marvel Rivals. Last year, some of the characters I performed best on were—in order—Dr. Strange, Peni Parker, Emma Frost, Groot, and Magneto. My favorite game mode is Domination, where two teams fight each other to hold control of a single point in a space called the Mission Area,” he said.

The addition of Marvel Rivals marks another step in RIT Esports’ evolution. Over the past decade, the program has grown from a student club into a nationally recognized leader, providing students not only competitive experiences but also opportunities to build real-world skills in media, marketing, and event management. By keeping pace with industry trends and embracing new games, RIT continues to attract students who see esports as more than just a hobby—it’s a passion, a career path, and a community.

With official Marvel Rivals teams taking shape, RIT players are preparing for another season that blends competition with innovation. If the success of past squads and the enthusiasm of leaders like Gallagher are any indication, the Tigers are poised to carve out a strong presence in the newest chapter of collegiate esports.