Alaskan gamers set to face off during MTA esports tournament this weekend

WASILLA — Esports athletes from across the state are set to compete during the Grand Finals Tournament hosted by MTA.

Nearly 250 Alaskans of all ages participated in the 2022 esports competition, according to MTA corporate communications manager Jessica Gilbert. able to reach a bit more gamers this year,” Gilbert said.

Gilbert said the tournament was held virtually this year, and the finals will also be held virtually out of the Sun Mountain Center in Wasilla which serves as the studio and league headquarters.

The total prize pool for the 2022 tournament is $10,000. This will be distributed to the top finishers of each video game division. There will be a virtual celebration for the winners.

Gilbert said this year’s prize pool is the largest they’ve had. She said it’s a good indication of how much this tournament has evolved over the years.

“I think it will only continue to grow,” Gilbert said.

This is the sixth installment of the annual esports tournament. Gilbert said the tournament serves as a fundraiser for the MTA Foundation which turns around and makes investments into the community with numerous partners.

Gilbert noted that there were a lot more teams in this year’s competition. She said that she was thrilled to see this increased number of teams including a fair number of family teams.

“It is truly an all ages tournament,” Gilbert said. “The gamers of our community are the future of our workforce.”

The Grand Finals Tournament will stream over Twitch for two days starting Friday, Nov. 18.

For more information, visit mtasolutions.com/esports/league-central.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com