Following several months of regional competitions held in shopping centers across South Africa, the Hyprop MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience event is moving to its largest stage yet.
The five-day final will take place at the Canal Walk shopping center, where the country's best qualified players will compete for a share of the R350,000 prize pool. These finals conclude the nationwide competition organized across eight Hyprop shopping centers.
During this competition, gamers competed in EA FC 26™ and Beat Saber in both online qualifiers and on-site events.
Regional stages were held at locations such as Woodlands Boulevard, The Glen, Table Bay Mall, Clearwater Mall, and CapeGate Shopping Centre, where participants fought for a spot in the national final.
Final Showdown in Cape Town
For players who advanced through the regional rounds, Canal Walk represents the ultimate test. The competition has gradually narrowed the field, bringing together gamers who have already experienced pressure at regional events across the country.
The national champions will be determined in Cape Town, with the National Football Final scheduled for Sunday, August 30th. The tournament was created to provide both experienced and novice gamers with an accessible platform for competition in a professionally managed environment.
ACGL, one of the recognized tournament organizers in South Africa, oversaw the competitive aspect of this event. This year's national final will also feature a five-day program of card games at Canal Walk.
Card Games Join the Action
As part of the national final, visitors will be able to explore various card games, including Star Wars Unlimited, Gundam, Dragon Ball Z Fusion, and Pokémon, and then participate in scheduled tournaments. The list of games also includes competitions for Dragon Ball Z Fusion, One Piece, Star Wars Unlimited, Pokémon, and Yu-Gi-Oh.
The addition of these disciplines provides visitors with an additional way to engage with the event beyond esports contests. By integrating organized games into shopping centers, the Hyprop MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience aims to provide a public platform for competitive gamers while allowing friends, family, and shoppers to check out the tournament games.
After the regional stages concluded, the remaining competitors are now preparing for the final battle in Cape Town, as there are no further qualifying rounds between them and the national titles. The Hyprop MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience National Finals will take place at the Canal Walk shopping center from August 26th to August 30th.