Edgren, Guam claim top honors at 2026 Far East Esports Championship
The 2026 Far East Esports Championship concluded after two days of high‑energy competition, with six teams from across the Pacific battling for regional titles in Rocket League and Valorant Jan. 30–31, 2026 at Kadena Air Base.
In Rocket League – a three‑player, car‑soccer game in which teams coordinate passing, rotations, and boost management to outscore opponents – Edgren Middle High School soared to first place, followed by Kadena High School in second and Guam High School in third.
Guam High School captured the championship in Valorant – a five‑player tactical title where teams alternate between attack and defense, aiming to eliminate opponents or plant/remove a spike through coordinated strategies and precise execution. Kadena High School secured second, and Zama Middle High School rounded out the podium in third.
This year’s event also featured a special appearance by U.S. Army Esports, whose representatives engaged with competitors about pathways in the Army’s esports program and hosted one‑on‑one Rocket League challenges against the team’s top player, Sgt. Nnoli. When asked about his competitive standing, Sgt. Nnoli shared that he competes at Supersonic Legend (SSL) – the highest rank in Rocket League – drawing excited reactions from students and spectators alike.
“Far East esports really shows just how skilled and dedicated our student‑athletes are,” said Jake Lindenmuth, Pacific Region program analyst who helped launch the region’s esports program. “You can see it in the technical improvements they are making in Rocket League and the teamwork and communication used to drive success in Valorant. Our players continue to showcase the very best of scholastic esports in the Pacific.”
Esports in the Department of War Education Activity’s Pacific Region is conducted as a varsity athletic program during the winter season and is supported by USO Gaming, providing students a platform to compete, collaborate, and develop digital citizenship and communication skills in a structured, school‑based environment.
