The Community Behind SoDak Circuit

For one day, SoDak Circuit brings together gamers of all ages, parents, volunteers and fans from communities across the region. Some come to compete. Others come to cheer on a family member, discover a new game or simply experience something new.

By the end of the day, many leave with more than just memories of the matches. They bring home new friendships, stronger connections and a sense of belonging.

As SoDak Circuit prepares for its third year on Saturday, September 12, one thing has become clear: this event isn't just about tournaments. It's about creating opportunities for people to connect, families to spend time together and communities to grow around a shared passion.

Finding Community Through a Shared Passion

For Jessica Williams and her family, SoDak Circuit came at exactly the right time.

After moving from Alaska to Sioux Falls in 2024, they were searching for ways to help their son meet people and feel connected in a brand-new city. A flyer for SoDak Circuit caught their attention, and they decided to check it out.

What they found was far more than a gaming event.

Reflecting on their experience, Jessica summed it up perfectly, "Instant community building, because you're with like-minded people who are all there for a common purpose and you're there to celebrate each other."

For families who are new to the area or simply looking for a place where their children can find others with similar interests, that kind of connection is invaluable.

More Than Gaming

For many families, gaming is already something they enjoy together at home. SoDak Circuit gives them a chance to experience that passion alongside hundreds of others.

One returning parent described their family as "gaming people," sharing that video games have become a tradition spanning years of Nintendo consoles, arcade visits and discovering new games together.

"There are soccer moms and there are cheerleading moms," she said. "I just happen to be a gaming mom,” Melanie Soper added.

While other youth sports bring families together on weekends, SoDak Circuit has become a place where parents can play alongside their kids and families can spend the day making memories together.

Turning Online Players into Friends

While esports often happen online, SoDak Circuit brings those experiences into the real world.

Instead of competing through headsets and usernames, players meet face-to-face. They sit beside one another, celebrating wins, growing their sportsmanship and leave with connections that continue long after the event is over.

"SoDak Circuit brings it to our community so that Sam can see and meet some of the people he's racing against. This event makes it like a family, a small community," Soper said.

That sense of community extends beyond the competitors. Parents get to meet other adults who understand the gaming world. Families connect over their children’s shared interest in esports.

Growing Confidence Through Connection

While trophies and prizes are exciting, many families say the biggest takeaway isn't what their children win, it's who they become.

"As a mom, to watch my son excel at something he really enjoys and to see him interacting with other kids that enjoyed it as well was a really proud moment,” Williams mentioned about watching her son get to experience SoDak Circuit.

Young competitors build confidence by trying something new. They learn resilience after a tough loss and sportsmanship after a close match. More experienced players encourage newcomers, answer questions and share what they've learned.

One returning Mario Kart competitor recalled being approached by a younger player who simply wanted to know how he became so good.

His answer wasn't about talent. It was about practice, learning from others and sticking with it.

Those moments of encouragement are part of what makes SoDak Circuit different.

Building a Stronger Community

Created and operated by SDN Communications and its 17 member-owner rural broadband companies, SoDak Circuit demonstrates how technology can bring people together not just online, but in person.

Each year, the event welcomes new families, reconnects returning competitors and continues growing South Dakota's gaming community. What began as an esports tournament has become a place where people discover they belong.

On Saturday, September 12, the Sioux Falls Convention Center will once again be filled with competitors, families, volunteers and fans celebrating a shared passion.

The games may bring people through the doors, but it's the community that keeps them coming back.

From the beginning this event was never about creating better gamers. And now, entering the third year, it remains rooted in three core values:

Showcasing the network, inspiring the upcoming generation to enter technical careers, and building a stronger community.