Second Annual Neon Night Brings Competition and Community Together

The Santiago Canyon College eSports team hosted the second annual Neon Night event last Thursday delivering a championship-level atmosphere by transforming the SCC Gymnasium and surrounding campus areas into one of the largest esports and community showcases of the year. The event utilized the gym lobby, outdoor activation spaces, and two full basketball courts to create an immersive festival experience centered around competition, culture, and student engagement. 

What began as grassroots tournaments hosted in the SCC eSports Lab have evolved throughout the years into a premier competitive event that served as the capstone of the program's season.

Headlined by a massive 40-foot main stage, Neon Night featured live broadcasts, a multi-program resource alley, free-play gaming stations, complimentary food, and a highly anticipated 64-player Super Smash Brothers Ultimate tournament. The event welcomed approximately 500 attendees throughout the evening, bringing together SCC students, local high school students, faculty, staff, families, and community businesses from across the region.

The spotlight stage showcased SCC eSports battling regional rivals from Fullerton College and Norco College in high-energy matches of Marvel Rivals and Valorant. La Quinta High School also joined SCC eSports on stage for an exciting League of Legends exhibition match, highlighting the growing connection between collegiate and high school esports programs.

Meanwhile, the Super Smash Brothers Ultimate tournament became one of the evening's standout attractions. Fully operated by SCC eSports student leadership, the bracket drew competitors from across Southern California and featured talent with national tournament experience, including players who regularly compete in Las Vegas events. Local high schools made a strong impact as students from Katella High School and El Modena High School fought their way into top-16 placements.

The event celebrated community, culture, and campus collaboration. The evening featured vibrant neon visuals, AAPI-inspired themes, and interactive program showcases designed to connect attendees with opportunities across campus. Hundreds of guests engaged with tabling programs and received information about student involvement, while many parents expressed excitement about SCC's dual enrollment pathways and growing eSports opportunities for younger students.

Neon Night continues to establish itself as a unifying campus tradition — bringing together students, educators, families, and the community under one banner to celebrate eSports, culture, and student success. With the momentum generated from this year's event, SCC eSports now looks ahead to an even bigger and more ambitious Neon Night in Spring 2027.