Tampa Bay Rays Launch Inaugural Sunburst Esports Invitational

The new regional tournament aims to engage fans through competitive gaming.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 4:01am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a Rays baseball player and an esports gamer in overlapping, fragmented planes of navy blue, powder blue, and yellow, conceptually representing the intersection of traditional sports and competitive gaming.The Tampa Bay Rays' new esports tournament aims to bridge the gap between traditional sports and competitive gaming, engaging a new generation of fans.St. Petersburg Today

The Tampa Bay Rays have announced the launch of the Rays Gaming Sunburst Invitational, a new esports tournament featuring top players from across Florida and the Southeast. The first online qualifier event took place on April 13, with the top competitors advancing to future rounds of the regional championship.

Why it matters

The Rays' move into the esports space represents a growing trend of traditional sports franchises investing in competitive gaming as a way to engage younger fans and expand their brand. The Sunburst Invitational aims to spotlight the thriving esports scene in Florida and the Southeast.

The details

The Rays Gaming Sunburst Invitational is an open tournament featuring players from Florida and surrounding states. The first online qualifier event featured competitors playing in popular esports titles like Rocket League and Madden NFL. The top finishers from the qualifier will advance to future rounds, with the ultimate champion receiving a cash prize and trophy.

  • The first online qualifier for the Sunburst Invitational took place on April 13, 2026.
  • The Rays plan to host additional online qualifier events in the coming months leading up to the regional finals.

The players

Tampa Bay Rays

The professional baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida, who are launching the new Sunburst Invitational esports tournament.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The Rays will announce details on future online qualifier events and the schedule for the Sunburst Invitational regional finals in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

The Rays' new esports tournament represents a strategic move by a traditional sports franchise to engage younger fans and capitalize on the growing popularity of competitive gaming.