Varsity Esports Split 1 came to an exciting conclusion at the Coetzenburg Indoor Centre in Stellenbosch, marking a major milestone for the competition.

For the first time, a Varsity Esports Split Final was hosted on a university campus. The result was an electric atmosphere, with players, students, sponsors, supporters, and partners all coming together to celebrate university esports.

South Africa's top university players battled it out across Valorant, Rocket League, and EA Sports FC 26 for Split 1 glory. Off the stage, fans enjoyed a variety of sponsor activities and experiences throughout the weekend.

More Than Just Competition

The Split 1 Finals experience extended beyond the matches themselves, with sponsors creating interactive experiences for attendees throughout the weekend.

NIVEA MEN kept fans engaged with a football target challenge, a claw machine packed with products and giveaways, and additional prizes for competitors. The Rocket League winners also received an additional R5 000 prize courtesy of NIVEA MEN.

FNB provided always-on gaming stations where fans could jump into EA Sports FC 26 and Rocket League throughout the event.

Citroën brought the competition off the esports stage and onto the racetrack with two racing simulators. Attendees could jump behind the wheel of the Citroën C3 Max in a virtual test drive experience and battle for the fastest lap times of the weekend. Alongside exclusive Citroën merchandise giveaways, every Split 1 winner also walked away with a premium gaming headset and additional Citroën prizes.

Roman's Pizza ensured players stayed fuelled for competition by providing lunch throughout the Split 1 Finals weekend.

EA Sports FC 26 Goes Down to the Wire

The EA Sports FC 26 competition featured some intense one-on-one matchups.

EM Aasim booked his place in the final with a 2-0 victory over Yugeshh_, while EM Kennedy defeated TUTNofear_ggs77 by the same scoreline.

Yugeshh_ secured third place after overcoming TUTNofear_ggs77 2-1.

The EA Sports FC 26 Split 1 Final was an all-Emeris affair, with 2025 champion Kennedy taking on superstar Aasim in a highly anticipated showdown. In the end, Aasim emerged victorious with a 2-1 win, securing the Split 1 EA Sports FC 26 qualification spot and valuable momentum heading into the Grand Final Qualifiers.

Rocket League Reaches New Heights

Rocket League produced its fair share of excitement as teams fought for a place in the final.

EM Substitutes edged out SU TURBO SQUAD 3-2, while SU TaMATIES defeated Tuks Rockets 3-1.

Tuks Rockets secured third place with a convincing 3-0 victory over SU TURBO SQUAD.

In the final, SU TaMATIES showcased their quality with a 3-1 win over EM Substitutes, securing their place in the Grand Final Qualifiers and carrying strong momentum into the next stage of the competition.

Valorant Delivers a Thrilling Finish

The Valorant competition featured some of the strongest teams in the country.

SU ODIN secured their place in the Grand Final Qualifiers after defeating SU Maroon Machine 2-0, while Tuks Capitals battled past SU SUPREME in a closely contested 2-1 victory.

SU Maroon Machine claimed third place with a 2-1 win over SU SUPREME.

The Grand Final proved to be one of the highlights of the weekend. Tuks Capitals pushed SU ODIN to the limit, taking the series all the way to a deciding third map. However, SU ODIN held their nerve to secure a 2-1 victory, finishing top of the Split 1 Finals and booking their place at the Grand Finals.

Looking Ahead to Split 2

With Split 1 now complete, attention turns to the next chapter of the Varsity Esports 2026 season.

Registrations for Split 2 open on 18 June, giving students from universities across South Africa another opportunity to represent their campus on the national stage.

As university rivalries continue to grow and the level of competition rises, Split 2 promises even more action, more storylines, and more unforgettable moments.

The road to the next Finals starts soon.

Think you've got what it takes to compete?

Visit the Varsity Esports website to register for Split 2 and follow all the latest news, standings, and results.

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