Press Release: NACE and Dragon Master Initiative Announce Partnership

KANSAS CITY, MO (October 8, 2026) — The National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) and the Dragon Master Initiative (DMI) today announced a three-year agreement designed to mobilize the collegiate esports community in support of families affected by cancer.

The collaboration brings together NACE’s nationwide network of collegiate esports programs and Dragon Master Initiative’s mission to support cancer research and families facing the disease.

Through the partnership, participating collegiate esports programs will have opportunities to engage student-athletes, campus communities, alumni and supporters in voluntary peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns benefiting Dragon Master Initiative.

The partnership is expected to launch its first national fundraising activation in early 2027, bringing collegiate esports programs together in a coordinated campaign to raise funds and awareness for Dragon Master Initiative. Additional details about the activation, including participating schools, fundraising activities and opportunities for corporate partners, will be announced as plans are finalized.

The initiative is designed to make fundraising a natural extension of collegiate esports competition and community. Participating students and schools will be able to create fundraising pages, rally supporters and compete toward fundraising goals while representing their institutions.

“NACE has built an incredibly engaged community of students, staff, programs, and supporters,” said Riley Long, Executive Director of NACE. “This partnership gives that community an opportunity to come together around a cause that can make a meaningful difference for families affected by cancer.”

Dragon Master Initiative was founded to accelerate cancer research and improve outcomes for patients by bringing together researchers, data and resources. The organization has increasingly looked to gaming and esports as a way to engage new audiences in its mission.

“Gaming communities understand what it means to work together toward a common objective,” said Amanda Haddock, President of Dragon Master Initiative. “Our partnership with NACE gives collegiate esports programs and their student-athletes an opportunity to turn that same competitive energy into something that can have an impact far beyond the game.”

The three-year agreement establishes a framework for NACE and Dragon Master Initiative to develop and expand esports-based fundraising opportunities across the collegiate esports community.

The organizations expect to use the partnership to develop scalable fundraising campaigns, student engagement opportunities and sponsor-supported activations that can grow across NACE’s collegiate network.

For Dragon Master Initiative, the partnership represents an opportunity to introduce its mission to a generation of gamers and esports competitors while creating a repeatable model for using competitive gaming to support cancer research and families.

For NACE and its member institutions, the collaboration provides another way for collegiate esports programs to demonstrate their impact beyond competition — connecting students, universities, alumni and corporate partners around a shared charitable mission.

About Dragon Master Initiative

Dragon Master Initiative is a nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating cancer research and improving outcomes for patients by advancing collaboration, data sharing and innovative approaches to research. Through fundraising, partnerships and community engagement, Dragon Master Initiative works to bring researchers and resources together in the fight against cancer.

Media Contact: David Herrmann, VP/Chairman of the Board, Dragon Master Initiative 316-200-5932

About the National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE)

The National Association of Collegiate Esports (NACE) is the largest and most established association of varsity esports programs at colleges and universities across North America. Founded in 2016, NACE supports over 170 member institutions and more than 4,000 student-athletes, providing leadership, competition structure, and resources that help programs thrive. NACE is dedicated to the growth and legitimacy of collegiate esports, offering premier leagues, national championships, and strategic partnerships that enhance the student-athlete experience and promote success in education, competition, and future careers. Learn more at the Official NACE Website. 

Media Contact: Sheridan McGuire, NACE Marketing Manager, media@nacesports.org