University launches Suffolk Mariners esports team

A brand-new esports team has been unveiled by the University of Suffolk, which students will use to compete in national tournaments from autumn 2025.

Suffolk Mariners is the official University of Suffolk esports team, and will be managed by students on the new Esports course launching this September.

The team will compete in university-specific gaming tournaments against other universities across the UK to give Esports students hands-on experience in managing a team and a brand, as well as hosting esports events and livestreams.

Students from any course across the University will be able to sign-up as players for the new team.

Leagues the Suffolk Mariners will compete in include University Esports UK and Ireland, and National Student Esports (NSE) British University Esports Championship, as well as options to compete at other esports events across the country.

Among some of the most popular titles that universities across the country compete in are League of Legends, Valorant, Counter-Strike 2, and Marvel Rivals.  

The Mariners will also host events at the University in the new esports facility currently being created, with course staff urging people to support the team’s endeavours when it hits the ground running this autumn.

BA (Hons) Esports Course Leader Charlie Smith said: “It is a privilege to unveil the new Suffolk Mariners team which our students will be managing and competing with in tournaments across the country.

“A vital aspect of the new Esports course will be the hands-on experience and opportunities students will get to manage a brand and a team, run and market events, and oversee livestreams and tournaments, so the Mariners will provide an important means in which students will gain these practical skills.

“We’re also keen to develop new gaming talent in the county through the team, so we are urging people across Suffolk to back the Mariners and give our students all the support they can as our new team makes its debut later this year!”

Esports is the act of competitive video gaming, ranging from small scale local competitions between friends to international competitions with prize pots of millions of dollars. The rapidly-growing industry is now valued at more than $2.8 billion globally.

The Suffolk Mariners identity has been designed to reflect the University’s unique location on Ipswich Waterfront, honouring Suffolk’s rich maritime history, while also taking inspiration from US-style sports brands.

It utilises the figure of Neptune, the Roman god of the sea, who sailors would often pray to before long voyages, and his trident weapon – a symbol of strength, commitment and leadership.

Among the team’s aims are providing opportunities for gamers of all levels – from casual to professional – to be a part of an inclusive and enjoyable team environment, as well as providing development opportunities for promising and up-and-coming talent to compete on a national stage.

The new Esports course will launch this September in a new £1.65 million esports suite at the Waterfront campus, featuring more than 40 gaming-spec PCs, professional grade broadcasting gallery and a live studio purpose-built for broadcasting and live-streaming.

Work is currently underway on the new facility, which will open ahead of the course starting.

Places are still available for this September, with more information on the course available on the website here.

In addition, full-time home-fee paying students joining the course in September 2025 can benefit from an Esports Award bursary worth £1,000. More information on the award is available here.

Course representatives will be available to talk to at the University’s next open day, which is being held on Saturday 5 July. You can find out more and register for the event here.