An esports tournament dedicated to showcasing fighting games, student communities, and inclusive gaming culture is coming to the Quad Cities.
That event, called Honeypot 7, will take place at the TBK Bank Sports Complex, 4850 Competition Drive, Bettendorf, from Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 18-21. It is expected to attract several hundred players and spectators, making Honeypot the largest fighting game tournament in Iowa.
As the flagship event of the independently run Honeypot series, Honeypot 7 has grown from a local tournament into a regional destination for collegiate and community fighting game fans alike. Last year, more than 500 players and spectators attended. This year, organizers are raising the bar even higher with nearly 300 participants from 15 different colleges across the Midwest confirmed to compete.
Honeypot 7 will spotlight titles including:
- Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and Guilty Gear Strive.
- Collegiate-friendly brackets and school vs. school matchups.
- A community artist alley and vendor space.
- Live commentary, exhibition matches, and the return of the fan-favorite Honeypot Bear mascot.
- A spotlight on diversity and representation in gaming spaces.
- The Honeypot brackets will take place on the eight regulation size basketball/volleyball courts at the TBK Bank Sports Complex.
- The tournament is organized by Run it Down, St. Ambrose University and Visit Quad Cities.
The Honeypot esports tournament also has been held at the Putnam Museum and Science Center, Davenport.
Honeypot is an independently run esports tournament series dedicated to showcasing fighting games, student communities, and inclusive gaming culture in the Midwest. Founded by Albert Rassavong and Chase Neukam, Honeypot – in collaboration with Visit Quad Cities – has evolved into a celebration of competition, identity, and grassroots spirit, one bracket at a time.
