Department of the Air Force Esports Invitational 2023 Unites and Celebrates the US Military Service Branches.
06-07-2023
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SAN ANTONIO, TX — Top military esports athletes recently converged at the Boeing Center at Tech Port as they showcased skill, camaraderie and the positive impact of gaming within the military community for the 2023 Department of the Air Force (DAF) Esports Invitational, which featured an Overwatch 2 tournament.
Once again, Boeing Center at Tech Port served as the host for the cross-branch esports tournament. Launched a year ago, the Boeing Center at Tech Port is the nation's leading esports venue — designed from inception and built from the ground up with a state-of-the-art LAN gaming center and adjacent spaces, including a 3,500-seat arena, to host an array of video gaming competitions and other activities. Photo credit: Port San Antonio.
Sponsored by Air Force Gaming, the DAF Esports Invitational kicked off with a training camp, where representatives from each service branch honed their skills with top Overwatch coaches Kyle "KyKy" Souder and Aaron "Aero" Atkins. The training camp was followed by a media day, providing a platform for servicemembers to share their inspiring stories and backgrounds, showcasing the diverse talent and experiences within the military gaming community.
Local area high school and college students were also invited to attend the training camp, where they got to personally meet with the top military players and take part in friendly matchups. Photo credits: Texas A&M University-San Antonio.
The culmination of the DAF Esports Invitational was a thrilling two-day championship, where the service branches battled it out to claim the title of the best branch. With intense matches and high-stakes gameplay, spectators witnessed the exceptional teamwork and dedication displayed by each team, which highlighted the values that are core to the military community.
In the end, the U.S. Army esports team emerged as the victor of the cross-branch tournament.
Members of the U.S. Army esports team. Image credit: Bento.
"We were excited to host our sister services in San Antonio, at the Boeing Center at Tech Port, for the Department of the Air Force Esports Invitational 2023," said Steve Sarandos, Chief for the Department of the Air Force Esports. "This fantastic setting allowed us to showcase the talent and camaraderie that exists in the military."
"Bringing everyone together gives us the chance to compete, but also allows us the opportunity to forge new friendships and partnerships, growing the reach and positive impacts of esports within each service," added Sarandos.
"Over the past year, this facility has been the epicenter of amazing momentum and enthusiasm from the esports community right here in San Antonio, as well as from across the nation and around the world," said Will Garrett, Port San Antonio's Vice President of Talent and Technology Development and Integration.
"It is tremendous validation for our team and our many partners to now start seeing the return of these top-tier competitions," he added. "We greatly appreciate our armed forces for being on the leading edge of building that community, which is creating excitement while introducing people, especially the young, to the important educational, career and entrepreneurial paths that are possible within the fast-growing world of esports."
About Air Force Gaming
Air Force Gaming is a program founded to digitally connect Airmen and Guardians through their shared love of gaming. Housed under the Air Force Services Center, Air Force Gaming is focused on supporting the Department of the Air Force's resiliency and retention efforts through the creation of a global esports effort that brings Airmen and Guardians together through community experiences and competitive leagues. Air Force Gaming's program is powered by Rally Cry, a company dedicated to delivering esports to everyone through recreational sports leagues for video games. Learn more at www.airforcegaming.com.
Photo credits: Bento.
MEET THE TEAMS
U.S. AIR FORCE (CONUS)
U.S. AIR FORCE (OCONUS)
U.S. ARMY
U.S. NAVY
U.S. COAST GUARD