York College to Host International “Battle of the Atlantic” Esports Showdown
York College of Pennsylvania is gearing up for an international faceoff as the Spartans take on York College in the United Kingdom for the inaugural Battle of the Atlantic Rocket League showdown.
The friendly competition begins at 1 p.m. EST on Tuesday, December 10, bringing together players and fans from both sides of the ocean for an afternoon of high-speed gameplay and global connection.
The match will be streamed live on the YCP Esports Twitch channel at twitch.tv/ycpesports, giving students, alumni, and esports fans the chance to tune in and cheer on the Spartans. The event highlights the rapid growth of collegiate esports and YCP’s commitment to fostering teamwork, digital engagement, and international collaboration.
“Esports is just like any other traditional sport—teams face off head-to-head each week in hopes of winning a championship,” said Zach Kaltreider, President of the Esports Club. “The difference is that it’s all mental exertion. It requires intense focus for several hours at a time and incredibly fast reaction speeds.”
Kaltreider said he first learned about the Battle of the Atlantic when the idea was brought to him to present to YCP’s Rocket League team. As the team’s coach, he has been preparing his players since the start of the semester through weekly scrimmages, film review, and building team chemistry.
“Rocket League is a high-speed game—you don’t have time to think or mess up. Every moment counts,” he said. “My biggest focus was helping these guys build trust and communication. They’ve really impressed me this season.”
The Spartans enter the match after a strong semester that includes reaching the Grand Finals of the NECC Division IV Fall Championship, setting the stage for a competitive international showdown.
“Everyone should tune into this event,” Kaltreider added. “It’s like any of our traditional sporting events—but even bigger—because it’s on an international level. Our players will even be going up against a current Rocket League professional from the UK. It’s going to be intense.”
“What makes this event so valuable is the student experience behind it,” York College Director of Esports Kyle Rosen said. “They’ve trained, strategized, and built a culture of teamwork, and now they get to test their skills against an international opponent. It’s exactly the kind of experiential learning we want to foster.”
Students from both colleges will compete in a best-of-series format designed to showcase strategy, speed, and sportsmanship. For YCP players, the event offers a unique opportunity to test their skills on a global stage.
“This event is an incredible opportunity for our students to engage in friendly competition while building meaningful, international connections,” Rosen said.
This matchup marks the first-ever esports meeting between the two York institutions, and organizers hope the friendly rivalry becomes a recurring tradition. Fans are encouraged to tune in live, join the chat, and show their support as the two Yorks go head-to-head to determine which one claims the Atlantic title.
