GLENSIDE, Pa. - This weekend, the Arcadia University Esports program begins its second varsity season, hosting the Arcadia Knights Hearthstone Invitational Sept. 26-27. The 16-team field--divided into four, four-team brackets--features a pair of Arcadia entries and six programs ranked in the top-20 nationally according to Collegiate Hearthstone Observer, including top-ranked Northeastern and No. 2 Rochester Institute of Technology.

"The collegiate Hearthstone community deserves an event like this, and I am so glad that Arcadia Esports was able to come together and provide one," said Bill Rodgers, assistant director of Esports and head Hearthstone coach. "The quality of competition in this event is some of the highest in the country. We are excited to see how our Knights stack up."

Related: Watch the Arcadia Hearthstone Invitational Live on Twitch | Follow @EsportsArcadia on Twitter

Each bracket will be played in a double-elimination format with the first round matches scheduled to begin Saturday at noon, followed by the second round at approximately 2 p.m. and the third and final day of the round at 4 p.m. Match times are subject to change to accommodate for any matchup that goes over the allotted time. 

The two teams remaining in each of the double-elimination brackets will move on to compete in the top-eight playoff on Sunday, which will be played in a single-elimination format. 

"We are super excited to be able to offer this tournament and are very pleased with the quality and level of competition that we have drawn here," Director of Esports Tim Belloff remarked.  "Bill has put together a high-quality event, and we are looking forward to the outcome."

A select number of matches will be streamed live on the Arcadia Esports Twitch stream with Philly Esports providing pre-game analysis, in-game commentary, and post-game interviews throughout the two-day event. On Sunday, one of the quarterfinal matches, both semifinal matches, and the tournament final will be steamed live. 

Saturday's matches that will be streamed live will be determined and announced once that information becomes available.

Representing the Arcadia A team this weekend are sophomores Aidan Stuhltrager and Joel Anderson, and junior Henry Ryder; junior Xavier Dube, sophomore Mason Cole, and first-year student Corey Klevan make up the Arcadia B squad for the season-opening event.
 

#2 Rochester Institute of Technology

Northeastern B

Lebanon Valley College

Eastern University

GROUP B

#1 Northeastern A

Drexel University

Colorado State University

Akron B

GROUP C

#5 UCLA

#8 Michigan

Arcadia A

Saint Peter's University

GROUP D

#20 Kent State

#6 Akron A

Messiah University

Arcadia B

National rankings according to Collegiate Hearthstone Observer