PNW Esports – Student Gaming & Gaming Community at Purdue Northwest

Purdue University Northwest includes varsity esports as one of its NCAA D-II sports, with campus-supported gaming lounges open to student-athletes and club members. The esports program at PNW—also known as Pride Esports—launched in fall 2020 as the first varsity esports program at a public university in Indiana. The school features state-of-the-art esports arenas on both its Hammond and Westville campuses, which officially opened in late 2022.

These high-tech facilities include team play stations equipped with ergonomic gaming chairs, a coach’s area, and lounges designed to host showcases or team review sessions. The Hammond campus arena is available to students, faculty, and staff—reservations are encouraged but walk-ins are accepted if stations are free. Usage is capped at two hours per session, with guidelines in place to maintain a focused gaming environment.

The varsity esports teams compete in popular titles such as League of Legends, Rocket League, Call of Duty: Vanguard, Valorant, and Super Smash Bros., drawing participation from over 120 student-athletes across varsity and club levels.

Beyond campus play, PNW serves as a hub for broader esports engagement. In Fall 2023, the program partnered with the Indiana Esports Network (IEN) to host Fortnite competitions for high school and middle school students, inviting them to use PNW’s arenas for their matches.

Gaming at a glance:
📍 2200 169th Street, Hammond, IN 46323
🕒 Available during student center hours and varsity practice times
💻 School-provided team spaces and club hardware for competitive play
🏆 Varsity esports aligned with NCAA D-II structure
💲 Free to PNW students; tournaments may include guest access
🧭 Emergent program serving student competitors and campus visitors

📞 +1 (219) 989-2728
📧 esports@pnw.edu
🌐 website