5/14/24 Patch Notes: 2.1 changed to "Community Guidelines", with "Liability" now under section 2.1.1. 

1. Definitions

1.1. Participants   

1.1.1. School Organization Players

Students currently enrolled in their school's Organization and on the roster to participate in a current Middle School Esports League.

1.2. Staff

1.2.1. Organization Administrator

Organization Administrators are teachers or other verified and current school faculty members who oversee the operations of the school’s Organization and act as a point of contact between the school and MSEL Administrators. 

1.3. Organizations and Rosters

1.3.1. Middle School Organization

Middle Schools that have had a verified staff member create a Organization that is approved in the MSEL community. These Organization are composed of students attending the same school. All schools must provide a valid NCES ID number upon registration to participate in official tournaments. Schools without an NCES ID may apply for an exemption but need to demonstrate accreditation or that they are on a path to accreditation.

Students must be actively working towards graduation from the school in order to be added to the Organization's roster. Part-time students may participate as long as they exclusively attend the school. Students who attend a middle school without a Organization registered with MSEL may participate on a school's Organization within the same district.

1.3.1.1. Homeschooled Students  Virtual Schools

Homeschooled students may participate with the Organization of a registered middle school as long as they reside within the same school district. Homeschool groups/co-ops may form an Organization if all members of the group reside in the same state or within a 75-mile radius.

1.3.1.2 Virtual Schools

Virtual Schools will be allowed to participate if they have a valid NCES ID, demonstrate accreditation, or demonstrate they are on the path toward accreditation. All participating students must be enrolled full-time and working towards a diploma from the Virtual School. For team games, all virtual school members on the same roster must reside in the same state or within a 75-mile radius of a school campus or office.

1.3.1.3. After-School Programs

After-school programs are permitted to form Organization as long as the Organization represents exactly one school campus or district, and that organization does not already have an Organization (i.e. exactly one Organization per NCES ID). The after-school program must be hosted in the local region of the school district. Any after-school program must be able to provide a list of students, the school they represent, NCES ID, and proof of enrollment of all students upon request.

1.3.1.4. Lan Centers

LAN Centers may provide avenues for Middle School Organizations to compete in tournaments but are prohibited from organizing their own official MSEL Organization. 

1.3.2. Rosters

A group of students from the same Middle School Organization, participating in a specific game during an MSEL tournament. The size of a roster will vary depending on the tournament entered.

1.4. Matches

1.4.1. Official Match

An official match is any match taking place during any MSEL Major or Open tournament. Regular Season, Playoff, and Final matches qualify as official matches.    

1.5. Events

1.5.1. Fall, Winter, Spring

Tournaments in which the players must form a roster with other players enrolled in their school Organization.

1.6. Event Stages

Tournaments may consist of multiple stages, each with specific rounds and varying rules, including match length. It's important to note that the regular season and playoffs are entirely separate stages.

1.6.1. Registration & Preseason

Organizations wanting to participate in tournaments or events will need to register through the Generation Esports Competition Platform. Preseason matches are offered for the purpose of practicing and testing Match Day Protocol (e.g. school equipment/network, using the queue system, creating a custom game). Preseason matches do not influence any future stage in any way.

1.6.2. Regular Season

The regular season stage of a tournament is the main stage of a tournament. During this stage, players/teams compete for the highest placements to move on to the postseason (playoffs/finals).

1.6.3. Playoffs

The playoff stage is a bracket competition among the highest-placed rosters/players from the regular season leaderboard. The size of the playoff pool varies depending on the game being played and the number of active participants.

1.6.3.1 Playoff Brackets

When possible, the Middle School Esports League will offer multiple playoff brackets per competition to provide as many opportunities for success as possible. The size of each playoff bracket varies depending on the game being played and the number of active participants. The highest-seeded participants will always compete in the "Champ Bracket", while other brackets may be named Gold, Silver, etc.

1.6.4. Finals

The Finals stage of a tournament is the final match in the bracket that consists of two teams. A separate match will be held to determine the third and fourth-place teams, these matches will be scheduled at the same time as the finals. 

1.7. Match Format

1.7.1 Best of X

In a “Best of” match, teams/players play a series of games until a winner is decided. The match winner will be the first team/player to reach the required amount of game wins. MSEL “Best of” Matches may consist of the following settings.

• Best of 1
• Best of 3 (first to 2)
• Best of 5 (first to 3)
• Best of 7 (first to 4)

For the specific match format for your game, please consult the specific MSEL rules page for your game. 

1.7.2 Queue System

The queue system is a matchmaking tool used for Intramurals, Major pre/regular seasons, Premier qualifiers, and any additional specified event/stage described in a tournament's overview.

Read about how the queue system works here: QUEUE SYSTEM 101

2. General Tournament Rules

2.1 Community Guidelines

1. All members (students, organization administrators, etc.) will contribute to a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone involved in this community.
2. During an ongoing match dispute, all participants (students and org admins alike) are expected to accommodate any request(s) from tournament admins in a timely and respectful manner that upholds the ideals of item #1.  

2.1.1 Liability

All participants are expected to know and uphold the rules while associated with the Middle School Esports League. Participants will not receive refunds or compensation for their inability to play as a result of incurring a penalty due to a violation of Middle School Esports League rules and regulations. Participation in official tournaments constitutes acceptance of these rules. 

2.2 Administration List

• David Stone - Commissioner
• Neal Doolin - Director of Platform Operations
• Jake Taylor - Client Support Manager 

2.3 Rules & Rulings 

2.3.1. Admin Interpretation & League Interests

The final interpretation of rules and regulations rests with the MSEL Administration. At all times, MSEL admins may act with the necessary authority to preserve the best interests of the league. This power is not constrained by the lack of any specific language in this document. MSEL admins may use any form of punitive actions at their disposal against any entity whose conduct is not within the confines of the best interests of the league. A participant's ignorance of the rules will not be considered as a factor in any ruling. 

2.3.2. Finality of Decisions 

All decisions regarding the interpretation of rules, player eligibility, scheduling and staging of the league, and penalties for misconduct, lie solely with MSEL administration, the decisions of which are final. MSEL administration decisions with respect to these Rules cannot be appealed and shall not give rise to any claim for monetary damages or any other legal or equitable remedy.

2.3.3. Rule Changes 

The rules in this article --and any game article-- may be amended, modified, or supplemented by MSEL administration to ensure fair play and the integrity of the league. Major changes to this document will be communicated, however, these rules may be updated at any time without formal notification. However, the Middle School Esports League will use its best efforts to provide reasonable notice to the Organization's Administrator via email prior to any significant rule changes.

2.4. Confidentiality

The content of emails, support tickets, or any other correspondence with Middle School Esports League administration is deemed strictly confidential information and will not be discussed or communicated with any unaffiliated party. This includes match disputes and player/roster consequences. The publication of such material is prohibited without express written consent from the Middle School Esports League.

2.5 Match Broadcasting

All broadcasting rights of the Middle School Esports League are owned by Middle School Esports League, LLC. This includes, but is not limited to: IRC Bots, audio streams, video streams, match recordings, or television broadcasts.

2.5.1. Award of Broadcast Rights

The Middle School Esports League has the right to award broadcasting rights to one or multiple matches to a third party or participants themselves. In these cases, broadcasts must be arranged with Middle School Esports League administration or broadcasters prior to the start of the match. The Middle School Esports League reserves the right to play, broadcast, and distribute all match recordings during a Middle School Esports League tournament.

2.5.2. No Right of Refusal

Players and participants cannot refuse to have their matches broadcasted by a Middle School Esports League authorized broadcast, nor can they choose what manner in which the match will be broadcasted.

2.6 Player Details and Eligibility

2.6.1. Home Country

All players must reside in the United States of America or Canada.

2.6.2 Enrollment & GPA

All students participating in a Middle School Esports League competition must be currently enrolled in middle school. All participating students must be on-pace to graduate and in good standing with the school. MSEL suggests that schools use the same GPA and attendance requirements for participation as other extracurricular and athletic activities.

2.6.3. Proof of Enrollment

When requested by Middle School Esports League administration, players are required to submit all requested information for verification, including, but not limited to: full name, contact details, date of birth, school address, proof of enrollment, and grade point average. Legal documentation of this information may be requested. When requested, players must provide proof of enrollment in the form of any of the following:

• A dated school report card
• A school ID from the current year that includes the player’s name
• An email from a teacher or school administrator using their school email

Players may be suspended from play and prizing may be withheld from the Organization until proof of enrollment is provided.

2.7. Participant Accounts

2.7.1. Clean Game Accounts

2.7.1.1 Definition

The Middle School Esports League defines a "clean game account" as an account that has not received any form of long-term game suspension/ban in the past 365 days, is not currently serving a short-term suspension, and is clear of vulgar or inappropriate content.

Short-term suspensions can include, but are not limited to: Chat restrictions, restricted access to ranked modes, or other gameplay lockouts lasting 7-30 days

Long-term suspensions can include, but are not limited to: Suspensions/bans lasting 31 days or longer, or permanent game accounts suspensions/bans for any reason.

2.7.1.2 Suspended Game Accounts

Players currently serving short-term game account bans/suspensions are prohibited from participating in Middle School Esports League events, even on alternate game accounts, until the suspension/ban is over.

Players having served long-term suspensions/bans at any point in the last 365 days are prohibited from participating in all Middle School Esports League events, even on alternate game accounts, for a calendar year from the start of the account's suspension or the date upon which it was discovered, whichever is later.

Players are required to notify their Organization's administrator if they receive any length of suspension or ban. The Organization's Administrator is then required to notify MSEL of their student’s account status.

2.7.1.3. Real-time Suspensions

If a player’s account receives any form of game suspension or ban during an official MSEL match, the match will immediately conclude and the opposing participant will be awarded a win.

2.7.2. Game Connections

All players taking part in Middle School Esports League tournaments are required to have an active game account for the tournament they’re participating in connected to their Generation Esports account. All game connection information shown on an Organization's roster must match the names used in-game. Mismatching display names (gamertags) that cannot be verified by MSEL staff will not be allowed to participate in an official match and must not be present in a game lobby.

If a player’s display name does not match what is shown on their roster, immediately suspend play, inform the other team of the discrepancy, and reach out to an MSEL Administrator through the Support Live Chat found via the widget in the lower right of our website for assistance. Name discrepancy reports will not be accepted after a match has been completed. 

In certain cases, mismatching names will be permitted to play, granted they correct their Game Connection in real time if MSEL staff can verify the overall game account is correct using Steam ID, Epic ID, or other similar unique account identifiers. (Identifiers must be data directly accessible to MSEL staff; email screenshots are insufficient)

All game connections associated with a user at any point during a competition or event are subject to rule 2.7.1, the clean account rule.

2.7.2.1. Game Account Ownership

Game accounts used in official tournaments must belong to the student participating using that game connection. At no point in time may players share accounts with each other or use an account of another person, regardless of if they are in the tournament or not.

2.7.2.2 School-Purchased Game Accounts

Schools may create accounts or purchase game licenses for their students participating in a tournament if they do not already have an active one. These accounts will be considered the students’ personal account and may only be used by one student each. These accounts and licenses may not be transferred to another student upon the previous student’s graduation or leaving the Organization, as this would be against any publisher’s Terms of Service or End User License Agreement.

2.7.3. Participant Profiles

All player names or profiles are prohibited from including:

• Gang Affiliation
• Drugs (including alcohol and tobacco)
• Sexual Material
• Offensive Material
• Politically Charged Symbols/Images
• Slander of The Middle School Esports League, Generation Esports, their staff, or participating schools and students

2.8. Organizations

2.8.1. Organization Names and Roster Names

All Organization names and roster names must reflect the name of the Middle School participating in the tournament. Organization names cannot be changed after the season officially begins.

2.8.2. Player Counts

Rosters are required to have the minimum player count (as stated in each game’s rule set) present on the roster at all times once a season begins. This does not include players that are pending to be placed on the roster. Rosters may not have more than double the minimum player count on the roster at any time. Official matches may not begin if a roster cannot actively field the minimum player count.

2.8.3. Multi-Teaming

Players are prohibited from simultaneously participating on more than one roster for the same game in a specific tournament. If a player is on a roster when it queues (even if the player themselves did not queue), the same player will not be able to queue with another roster in the same tournament at a later time during the same week

2.8.4 Roster Changes

Roster changes may be made at any point during or in between seasons except during the time a team has queued for their match, during live matches, or once the playoffs have been seeded.

2.9. Prizing

All prizing will be distributed once all Organizations that have earned it submit the necessary information needed to verify the eligibility of the players on the Organization and all pending payments are completed. If an Organization or player is missing any required criteria for verification or payment, the prizing will be held for 30 days after the conclusion of the applicable MSEL tournament. If an Organization or player fails to provide the required information or payments within those 30 days, they may forfeit all prizes from the tournament. Prizing will take between 3-6 weeks from the completion of the tournament to be fulfilled.

The Middle School Esports League reserves the right to withhold or revoke prizing from any School, Student, Organization, or User who violates the official tournament rules or for any reason determined by the Middle School Esports League. This includes situations where a playoff match is forfeited. If a team chooses to forfeit a playoff match, the Middle School Esports League may decide to withhold or revoke any prizes that would have been awarded to that team or user. This action is taken at the discretion of the Middle School Esports League.

The Middle School Esports League reserves the right to revoke or change prizing if the minimum number of 32 tournament registrants is not reached. For prizing questions or concerns, please email prizing@generationesports.com.

2.10. Withdrawal

Only Organization Administrators may submit a request to withdraw a player or roster from a competition. After the first game of the regular season has been played, participants will not be permitted to withdraw from a tournament. Schools wishing to no longer participate after the first official match may stop queuing or playing matches for the remainder of the tournament.

2.10.1. Refund Policy

No refunds will be offered, all services are sold as is. The Middle School Esports League assumes no responsibility for purchases. A grace period of 48 hours after purchase will be offered for disputed circumstances. The Middle School Esports League reserves the right to refuse or deny registration and to cancel registration under certain circumstances. 

2.11. Software Agreements

All participants are required to agree to, follow, and abide by any and all software agreements necessary to operate any game, service, and/or launcher that is necessary to facilitate a competition (e.g. Terms of Service, Terms of Use, End User License Agreements, and/or any other similar documents).

2.12. Leaderboard & Playoff Qualificaition

2.12.1. Make-up Matches

Participants who have missed matches during the regular season may make use of make-up queue windows. These windows are generally offered toward the end of the regular season. Participants who have played all of their regular season matches are locked from participating in any additional rounds.

2.12.2. Playoff Qualification

Participants must compete in and complete 75% of their Regular Season matches (rounded up) in order to be considered for playoff qualification. Participants who do not meet this requirement will be removed from qualification consideration regardless of their final record. 

2.12.3. Unplayed & Unreported Matches

Any match that a participant misses, as well as any match that has not been reported, will result in the match being counted as a loss against the participant's record at the end of the regular season. For example: going 4-1 in a regular season where 7 matches are offered will result in a final record of 4-3. 

2.12.4. Playoff Seeding

For all tournaments, postseason matches will be seeded depending on the tournament size and number of players/rosters actively participating in the regular stage at the discretion of the Middle School Esports League administration. Participants will be seeded into the playoffs based on their leaderboard standing after 2.12.3 is applied. 

2.12.5. Leaderboard & Tiebreakers

All MSEL competitions utilize the standard Generation Esports tiebreaker logic. Click the link below for more information.  

Tiebreaker Logic for Leaderboards

2.12.6. Playoffs and Final Matches

• Playoffs/finals are manually seeded; players will not use the queue system*.
  • *Minecraft Survival Games will still use the queue system. 
• You may only reschedule a playoff match if you meet all of the following criteria: 
  
  • Your opponent agrees to the new time in the match chat on the Generation Esports platform. Note: your opponents are under no obligation to accept a reschedule request. 
  • You notify and receive approval from HSEL admins for the new time via the widget in the lower right of our website.
  • The match score is reported before midnight Pacific Standard Time the day prior to the next round (i.e. reschedules must not impede the bracket from advancing).
  • Finals matches cannot be rescheduled without league approval.
  • Your opponent must agree to the rescheduled time in match chat on the Generation Esports platform or the default time will remain.

3. Matches

3.1. Match Results

Matches must be reported by the winning team immediately after their game's completion. Players/teams are encouraged to document proof of match results in the event that they are needed to verify the legitimacy of a match score report. Match reports must include the best-of-series score, and all results must be reported by 11:59 PM on the match day. After this, matches results will be locked and score will not be editable. 

3.1.1. Match Scheduling and Match Forfeits

There are no pre-determined matchups until playoffs. MSEL sets games on specific days, along with multiple queue windows for participants to choose from. On match day, participants will use the Queue System at their chosen time to receive an opponent.

Participants should note that entering the queue demonstrates intent and readiness to play. Participants are expected to begin the match creation process (e.g. picks/bans, launching the game, creating the custom game) in good faith immediately after being matched. A grace period of 15 minutes will be given past the match time before MSEL will approve a forfeit for unreadiness to play. See Match Day Protocol for more.

3.2. Match Interruptions and Live Issues

Teams are required to contact an MSEL Administrator if they experience issues delaying or interfering with their match as they are occurring. Examples of match interruptions or lives issues are

• Technical Difficulties
• Opponents not responding in Match Chat
• Incorrect Players or Game Connections
• Use of Incorrect Game Settings

In the event of a lobby restart, the game lobby must be recreated in a manner identical to the original (with respect to bans, character selection, side selection, etc.).

3.2.1. Weather and Other Emergencies

Participants should only queue for matches when it is safe to do so. The Middle School Esports League is not responsible for any internet or power issues affecting players/teams. During the regular season, makeup match queues are provided to account for unavoidable circumstances such as weather or schedule conflicts.

In the event of forecasted inclement weather (or other emergencies) during a scheduled (non-queue) match, participants should notify both MSEL Administration and their opponents as early as possible so that contingency plans can be formed.

3.3. Match Disputes

Match and scoring disputes must be submitted within 24 hours of a match’s conclusion during the Regular Season, except during the final regular season week (Make-up / doubleheader week), where disputes must be submitted by 11:59pm Pacific the day of the match. During playoffs and finals, all disputes must be submitted by 11:59pm Pacific the day of the match.

For disputes concerning foul play or rule violations, the League requires sufficient and un-doctored evidence to be provided before any decision will be made. Examples include (but are not limited to) screenshots, match recordings, match replays/demos, or stream VODs.

All match disputes should be submitted at the following link: https://help.generationesports.com/hc/en-us/requests/new. 

3.4 Breaks and Substitutions

3.4.1. Mid-Series Breaks

In a multiple-game series, participants may take one break of up to 10 minutes each hour between games if needed. Any additional breaks between games must be agreed upon by both participants in the match chat.

3.4.2. Mid-Series Substitutions

This rule only applies to games which require two or more players. In a multiple-game series, teams may substitute players in the match between games/maps, provided that all players are on the roster for the match. Substitutions must be declared before any new banning or drafting procedure begins for the next game/map. Substitutions are not permitted for solo competitions.

3.5. Communication

3.5.1. Opponent Communication

Participants must utilize the match chat on the match page on the Generation Esports application to communicate with their opponents.

3.5.2. Outside Communication

Players/teams may not have any communication with any outside sources, with the exception of MSEL Administration while their match is in progress, including, but not limited to: coaches, teachers, match spectators, and substitutes. Players/teams may only have communication with outside sources during the grace period between games in a series or unless otherwise outlined in game-specific rules.

3.6 Spectators

Spectators are permitted in game lobbies for the sole purpose of streaming their school team’s match to the school’s social channel(s) or for recording the match. Spectators streaming or recording the match may not be a competitor on the roster, unless otherwise specified in the game-specific rules.

At the end of the match:

• If streaming – the stream’s VOD must be immediately shared with the other team in the match chat.
• If recording – an unedited copy of the recording must be uploaded and shared with the other team within 24 hours.

In the case of a game having a solo spectator position, streaming rights will be given to the home team. Additional spectating rules vary from game to game and can be found within the game-specific rulesets.

3.6.1. Student Streaming

Students 13 or older may stream to their personal social channel(s) if they are participating in the match. The match may only be streamed from the student’s in-game point of view and should have at least a 3 minute delay set to prevent possible incidents of stream sniping.

Students may not at any time stream another player or roster’s match on their personal channels.

3.7 Equipment

Unless otherwise specified, the Middle School Esports League will not provide any equipment, license, or online access during an online tournament.

3.7.1. Online Connection

The Middle School Esports League recommends that all participants play over an ethernet connection to ensure the smoothest experience in online matches.

3.7.2. Controllers

Controllers used in official matches must not be modified in any way, including but not limited to trigger mods, sensitive buttons, custom thumbsticks, and thumbstick tension modes. SCUF Controllers and Xbox Elite controllers are permitted as long as none of the attachments are used during gameplay. For fighting games, all standard fight sticks and controllers are permitted. Any hardware with macro functions or on-the-fly profile switching is strictly prohibited.

Controllers may be used for PC games provided that they meet the requirements above, are an officially supported controller, and the game has native support for the controller in question; i.e., the player should not need to install additional software/drivers for the controller other than those from the manufacturer or included with the game.

All peripherals are subject to inspection by MSEL Administration at any live/in-person event.

3.7.3. Keyboard and Mouse

Participants may use a keyboard and mouse on a console as long as the tournament supports crossplay between console and PC players. The use of a keyboard and mouse for a console-specific tournament is prohibited.

All peripherals are subject to inspection by MSEL Administration at any live/in-person event.

4. Disruptive Actions

4.1. Cheating

The use of any third-party program, application, or illegally modified hardware that gives one or more participants an unfair advantage will be considered cheating. Examples include programs or applications that assist with aiming (aimbot), provide vision through walls (wallhack), provide otherwise unknown information (radar hack), automatically click or keypress (triggerbot, external macro), modify audio or visual information (e.g. preventing a player from being blinded or deafened, or modifying volume on audio cues). This list is not comprehensive; other programs may be deemed cheating if they are found to be giving a player or team an unfair advantage.

Players who are found to be cheating will be immediately disqualified from all tournaments they currently compete in until their conclusion and beyond at the discretion of the Middle School Esports League administration.

4.1.1. Bugs/Glitches/Exploits

The exploitation of any bugs/glitches that give a player or team an unfair advantage and are disallowed by the game’s developer are prohibited from use in official matches. The following are some examples of prohibited exploits:

• Glitches that modify ability timers
• Champion/hero appearance (or swapping) glitches
• Accessing illegal or out-of-bounds locations

This list is not comprehensive. The use of any bug/glitch/exploit that provides an unfair advantage is expressly prohibited, and their use will result in consequences. The final determination of fairness lies with MSEL Administration.

4.1.2. Additional Acts of Disruption

Other attempts to disrupt a match (or conspiring to do so) will also be considered cheating. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Intentionally delaying the start of a game or match
• Intentionally and deliberately teaming up in a “free for all” game
• Disconnecting with the intent of resetting a game
• Voice-communication spam in lobbies where teams can communicate
• Sabotaging equipment
• Distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks

4.1.3. Third-Party Tools 

The use of any third-party tools is prohibited in official tournaments. The list of third-party tools includes, but is not limited to: 

• Overlay Modifications 
• Custom Skins
• Custom Overlays
• UI Modifications  

4.2. Doping

The use of performance-enhancing drugs is prohibited. The List of Prohibited Substances and Methods created by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) applies to all High School Esports League events. The full list can be found at http://list.wada-ama.org/. Any unprescribed use of these substances is considered doping.

4.3. Betting

No participants may be involved in any form of betting or gambling, associate with bettors or gamblers, or provide anyone information that may assist betting or gambling, either directly or indirectly, for any Middle School Esports League matches or competitions.

4.4. Match Fixing

Match fixing is defined as the act of arranging the outcome of a match prior to or during play, and is expressly prohibited. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Intentionally losing matches
• Offering/accepting any form of compensation to influence the outcome of a match
• Negotiating or deciding the results of a match before, during, or after its completion
• Negotiating or deciding to play a match in a specific way (examples: players will all select random characters; all players will move to a specific area)

4.5. Unsportsmanlike Conduct

4.5.1. Definition

All participants in Middle School Esports League competitions are expected to act towards each other in a respectful, sporting manner. The Middle School Esports League understands that the competitive environment may produce mild banter between participants, but all participants are expected to show respect towards their opponents in both victories and defeats.

4.5.2. Inappropriate Language

All participants in Middle School Esports League events are prohibited from using inappropriate language in all text and voice channels, regardless of context. Inappropriate language includes, but is not limited to:

• Profanity or pseudo-profanity (replacing letters in profane words or phrases)
• Instructing others to self-harm
• Slurs referring to race, ethnicity, culture, gender identification, game presence, religion, political affiliation, military service, age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or any other generally protected category
• Sexual comments or innuendos
• Drug/alcohol references

4.5.3 Insults & Harassment

Insulting and/or harassing any participants, Organization members, Organization administrators, and/or MSEL staff is prohibited in any method (in-game, match chat, or unofficial channels such as social media or Discord).

The Middle School Esports League aims to make esports and gaming accessible and inclusive to all groups of students and the marginalization or harassment of any person or group of people will not be tolerated.

4.5.4 Other Unsportsmanlike, Targeted Behaviors

• Sharing or revealing another participant’s personal information (“doxxing”)
• Directed abuse or harassment towards a specific participant
• Excessive taunting, especially targeting one or more specific players (for example, crouch-spamming near, jump-spamming near, or intentionally shooting at an eliminated player’s model)

4.5.5 Incorrect Match Results

Intentionally reporting incorrect match results will result in removal from MSEL Tournaments. 

4.5.6. Deception

Any attempt to mislead or deceive other participants or members of the Middle School Esports League administration is prohibited and will result in removal from all competitions.

4.5.7. Public Accusations

Publicly accusing a player or Organization of violating the rules will not be tolerated. If you suspect another player, or team has committed a rule violation, please file a match dispute as soon as possible so MSEL staff can open an investigation.

4.6. Knowledge of Rule Breaking

Disciplinary action will be taken against players who have knowledge of teammates or other participants violating the official tournament rules and do not report the violations to High School Esports League Administrators.

If you have knowledge of a teammate or other player violating the rules please submit a report here. 

5. Eligible Regions

The following regions are permitted to participate in all Middle School Esports League online events.

• United States of America
  • All states and territories of the United States of America are permitted to participate in Middle School Esports League online events.
• Canada
  • All provinces of Canada are permitted to participate in Middle School Esports League online events.