St. Clair College's Esports Program is spreading some much-needed holiday cheer during exam season.
'Winter WonderLAN' is an annually run event happening at the Esports Nexus at St. Clair College on December 6, 2025. The event hopes to bridge the gap between competitive gamers and the greater Windsor-Essex community.
More than $1,500 in prize money will be given away as awards for the event's tournaments, Marvel Rivals, Fortnite and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. More casual events like Gingerbread House Decorating, Mario Kart, and a Rock Paper Scissors Tournament will also be happening, which may appeal to more casual gamers and families in the community.
In addition, there will also be a Fall Guys Tournament, VALORANT 2v2 tournament, Rocket League 2v2 tournament and League of Legends ARAM tournament.
Adrian Malhiers is the Head of Event Planning, Logistics, and Activities for Winter Wonder-LAN and says even though this event is primarily for gamers, people shouldn't be afraid to come out.
"We're trying to appeal to as many people as possible to get people to come to hang out at the event, rather than just come and compete," Malhiers said, adding the event also serves as a great way to relieve some stress during a busy exam season.
"You need something to de-stress, and being at an event like Winter WonderLAN is a good chance to just hang out with your friends and feel that sense of community," said Malhiers.
Winter WonderLAN is completely student-run, with second-year students in the Esports Administration program creating marketing, organizing and running the tournaments, planning and running an event day broadcast, among other duties.
Director of the St. Clair Saints' varsity esports program, Shaun Byrne, says these projects give students valuable hands-on learning experience, despite the many challenges they might face during the planning process.
"The students may not like it in the moment, but I like to see the struggle that they go through, and then the reward at the end is seeing a successful event happen that they never thought was going to be possible mid-way through," Byrne said.
Other Saints Gaming events, such as LAN of the Dead, No Man's LAN, and Sakura Fest, have also been run by students in the Esports Administration Program.
The program also hosted outside events, including Fragadelphia 19, the Lambton-Kent District School Board High School Esports Championship and the Ontario School Esports Association's Rocket League Championship, and The Summoning.
Sign-ups for tournaments can be done here and tickets for the event can be purchased here. Early bird tickets can be purchased for $5 or $10 at the doors on event day.
