M80 Partners with IMG Academy to Launch All-New Esports Program

SANTA MONICA, Calif./BRADENTON, Fla. (March 17, 2025) - M80, an international gaming and esports entertainment organization, has teamed up with IMG Academy, the world's leading sports education brand, to launch an innovative new esports camp. Hosted at the IMG Academy campus in Bradenton, Fla., this three-week camp will offer an elite esports training experience, aimed at shaping the next generation of competitive gamers. Combining immersive online learning with hands-on, pro-level training at IMG Academy, the program is designed to push players to the highest level of performance. Signups for the hybrid course are now open at www.imgacademy.com/sport-camps/esports.

“Providing the structure needed for the growth of generational talent is critical to developing esports in North America, and M80 is proud to be leading the charge,” said Marco Mereu, M80 Founder and CEO. “With over 300 universities offering esports scholarships in North America, there’s never been a more important time to provide a path to those opportunities, both in professional and collegiate play. Our partnership with IMG Academy will offer a one-of-a-kind program that leans on the esports leaders of today to inspire the pro players of tomorrow.”

Starting this May, M80 and IMG Academy combine the strengths of both organizations to offer aspiring esports athletes aged 12-18 the chance to learn, train, and compete like professionals in VALORANT, Rocket League, and League of Legends. With a limited number of spots, participants can select one of the three games to specialize in. The program includes a two-week online education course followed by a one-week in-person boot camp at IMG Academy’s Florida campus.

Students will learn from established esports professionals, including M80’s Vice President of Esports Don “Syyko” Muir, Mind Body Esports Clinical Director Edward Cleland, and others. Each day will balance physical and digital development, with a focus on in-game strategies, teamwork, mental and physical health, and more.

“IMG Academy is the perfect setting for a high performance esports camp——combining our expertise in holistic personal development with M80's elite in-game training, together, we’re equipping students with the tools to succeed in the fast-evolving world of esports while providing valuable life skills that will benefit them in all aspects of life,” said Chris Ciaccio, Chief Commercial Officer at IMG Academy. “This partnership allows us to be at the forefront of esports growth, helping aspiring gamers develop, compete, and excel at the highest levels.”

Registration Process and Important Dates

Once registered, both the participant and their guardian will join an online session with M80 esports professionals. There they will receive an introduction to the program, discuss their gaming background, and have the opportunity to ask questions. To ensure a competitive and supportive environment, all attending participants will be assigned to their teams based on their skill level, allowing them to train and compete alongside gamers of similar experience.

• VALORANT
  • 2 week online education: Access opens May 26, 2025
  • On-site at IMG Academy in Florida: June 9 – 13, 2025
• Rocket League
  • 2 week online education: Access opens June 2, 2025
  • On-site at IMG Academy in Florida: June 16 – 20, 2025
• League of Legends
  • 2 week online education: Access opens June 9, 2025
  • On-site at IMG Academy in Florida: June 23 – 27, 2025

To sign up, visit www.imgacademy.com/sport-camps/esports. For more information on M80, visit www.m80.gg and follow the organization on X, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Twitch.

About M80

M80 is a first-of-its-kind global esports and technology company. Led by seasoned gaming and esports entrepreneur Marco Mereu, M80 builds communities through professional esports, gaming performance training, digital goods, partnerships, events, and consumer products. Since inception, M80 has innovated player development across top esports titles, training athletes through data-driven, performance-first strategies and utilizing new technological advances such as AI, Performance Training, and more. From media rights and consulting to fan engagement, we support professional, collegiate, and amateur esports with a fan-first approach that focuses on creating deep connections between esports, fans, brands, and partners.

At M80, we don’t just play esports—we live it. To learn more, www.m80.gg and follow the organization on X, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and Twitch.

About IMG Academy

IMG Academy is the world’s leading sports education brand, providing a holistic education model that empowers student-athletes to win their future, preparing them for college and for life. IMG Academy provides growth opportunities for all student-athletes through an innovative suite of on-campus and online experiences:

• Boarding school and camps, via a state-of-the-art campus in Bradenton, Fla.
• Online coaching via the IMG Academy+ brand, with a focus on personal development through the lens of sport and performance
• Online college recruiting, via the NCSA brand, providing content, tools, coaching and access to a network of 40,000 college coaches

To learn more about IMG Academy and its on-campus and online experiences, visit www.imgacademy.com.