Compete For Prizes With MTN Shift Gaming Experience 2026

The 4th annual MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience is back with another competitive display of gaming challenges, new gadgets, and the chance to win great prizes at selected malls across Cape Town. The MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience is the largest national mall-based gaming tournament ever held in the country, and all ages are welcome to join the competitions and win prizes for free.

What is the MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience about?

With many of the earlier qualifiers already completed, the final rounds are taking place throughout August, with a big show at CapeGate and the epic conclusion at Canal Walk. There’s something for everyone, from casual players to seasoned pros, with competitions and activations taking place at each mall event, in addition to the headline tournaments.

Each in-mall weekend features the extremely competitive EAFC 26™ tournament, daily Fighting Cups (Tekken, Street Fighter & Brawlhalla), a keyboard rebuild race, a rhythmic MTN Beat Saber challenge, and a Shift Fastest Lap tournament in F1 26. The winners of each competition can get up to R1000 in shopping centre gift cards.

Those who prefer watching the pros over competing for themselves can cheer for the players competing in the EAFC 26™ National Football Tournament, with the winners of each mall tourney being automatically registered for the National Final at Canal Walk on 30 August. Gamers can enter the online qualifiers and hope to get fast-tracked to the final four at the in-centre event, or simply register in CapeGate. Mall champions can get up to R2500 to spend using gift cards, while the country’s best EAFC 26™ player gets R25,000 cash for winning the ultimate championship. More information is available on the website.

Fun Gaming Challenges and Activities

MTN Beat Saber Challenge

Beat Saber, the VR rhythm game where players slash to the beats of adrenaline-pumping music, is one of the biggest attractions at MTN Shift. Each mall’s tournament sees players of all skill levels compete for high scores, as those with precise reactions and strong rhythm usually take the crown.

The champion of each mall wins up to R1000 in credit and is automatically entered into the National Finals to compete for a R50,000 prize pool at Canal Walk on 29 August. There are even more ways to win, with MTN allowing participants to win a share of R50,000 by registering and signing up to their services, including their esports platform Battle+ and their new app.

Fighting Game Cups, Keyboard Rebuild & SHIFT Fastest Lap

MTN is also catering for Cape Town’s passionate fighting game community, with one-day cups at each mall offering R1000 gift cards for winners. Sign-up is done in-centre, and spots are limited.

Gamers get to test their skills at a selection of 2D fighters, including Brawlhalla (Friday, 14 Aug), Tekken (Saturday, 15 Aug), and Street Fighter 6 (Sunday, 16 Aug), all held on different days of the weekend.

Quick-fingered competitors with a knack for PC parts can take part in the Keyboard Rebuild Race, with the fastest on each day of the weekend winning a R500 shopping centre gift card.

Finally, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen fans can take part in the SHIFT Fastest Lap experience, where a variety of racing game players compete daily in EA Sports F1 to win a R1000 shopping centre gift card.

Where to Join the Cape Town Qualifiers

Cape Gate Mall: Online Qualifier: 9 August | In-Centre Event: 14 – 16 August (Friday from 3pm; Sat & Sun from 9.30am)
Canal Walk (National Finals): Online Qualifier: 23 August (from 2pm) | In-Centre Event: 30 August (from 1.30pm)

Entries are now open. Visit https://acgl.gg to sign up for the online gaming qualifiers, and head to the Hyprop mall on tournament weekends to be part of the action.