“Wait, Excel has esports competitions?” This question might surprise many, but it's true—the same Microsoft Excel used for spreadsheets has a dedicated esports tournament.
What exactly is the competition about, and what does the pinnacle of Excel esports look like?
Excel is an eSport Now.
Video by Techquickie
The Premier Event: Microsoft Excel World Championship (MEWC)
The Microsoft Excel World Championship (MEWC) is the highest-level esports tournament for Excel enthusiasts. Organized by the Financial Modeling World Cup (FMWC) and fully supported by Microsoft, this competition combines intense problem-solving with technical proficiency. The tournament comprises qualification rounds, playoffs, and a grand finale held at the HyperX Esports Arena in Las Vegas.
The MEWC 2024 season began in January and will continue until October with monthly qualifiers. Playoffs are scheduled for October 12–31, followed by the finals from December 2–4 in Las Vegas. Notably, the championship is open to all Excel users globally, regardless of age, gender, or location. However, there is a $20 fee for each qualifying round. Despite the modest entry fee, the prize pool isn't extravagant, with the champion earning $5,000 and runners-up receiving prizes ranging from $1,000 to $3,000.
What Does the Competition Test?
Unlike conventional esports, the MEWC challenges participants to solve real-world problems using Excel’s tools and functions. Competitors are given 30 minutes to solve scenario-based problems, often involving logistics, finance, or data analysis. For example, one task involved calculating various logistics metrics for a virtual shipping company. Contestants must demonstrate both speed and accuracy, employing Excel’s functions, formulas, and logical thinking.
Key rules of the competition include:
• Tasks feature multiple questions with varying complexities. Correct answers to more • challenging problems earn higher scores.
• Automated systems provide objective scoring, ensuring fairness.
• Problems focus on general Excel knowledge, including functions and data management, rather than specific expertise in finance, engineering, or statistics.
• Both old and new Excel versions can be used, though newer features might provide advantages.
• Participants may be required to create models from scratch or enhance pre-existing templates.
Is Excel Esports Really Esports?
The debate about whether Excel competitions qualify as esports often arises, but comparisons to traditional esports reveal many similarities.
1. Regional Leagues and Playoffs: MEWC features regional divisions for Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, and South America. Qualification slots are proportional to the number of participants from each region, similar to traditional esports leagues like Valorant or League of Legends.
2. Skill and Speed: Excel esports demands not only logical thinking but also manual dexterity. Advanced users leverage keyboard shortcuts to execute commands quickly, as navigating menus manually would consume too much time within the 30-minute limit.
3. Broadcasts and Viewer Engagement: MEWC streams its matches live, complete with professional commentary and player interviews. The competition uses state-of-the-art venues like the HyperX Esports Arena, further aligning itself with the esports aesthetic. In 2023, the MEWC finals attracted over one million viewers, a testament to its growing popularity.
4. Specialized Knowledge: Just as traditional esports require mastery of game mechanics, Excel competitions demand proficiency in spreadsheet functions. Participants’ performance reflects their understanding of Excel, not necessarily their expertise in finance or engineering.
A Glimpse of the Competition
The MEWC finals incorporate a progressively eliminative format. During the semifinals, 12 players compete, with one eliminated every five minutes until six remain. The final round narrows down further, with three players battling for the title by the end of the match.
A Unique Blend of Tradition and Innovation
From its high-tech venues to competitive formats, the MEWC resembles traditional esports in many ways. Yet, it also offers a distinct experience, blending technical expertise with fast-paced problem-solving. As the 2024 championship progresses, the world will see if the event can surpass its 2023 viewership milestone. With Excel proving it can be more than just a tool for spreadsheets, the MEWC showcases how even the most unexpected platforms can shine in the esports arena. Let’s see what the 2024 finals bring.
