PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania –
The 2026 Armed Forces Esports Championship kicks off Friday, bringing together elite competitors from all six branches of the U.S. military for a high-stakes tournament centered around the tactical team hero-shooter Marvel Rivals.
The event is hosted at Localhost, a gaming and esports venue in Philadelphia, from April 24 to 25. The event marks the first Armed Forces Esports Championship to feature Marvel Rivals.
The tournament is broken up into four stages; group, quarterfinals, semifinals and the grand finals. The group stage games take place on Friday, while the rest of the bracket, leading up to the grand finals, will conclude on Saturday.
Before the tournament started, Department of the Air Force Esports Manager, Tech. Sgt. Jess Crawford, spoke about the similarities between Esports and service.
“They’re able to develop and enhance their critical thinking and leadership skills through Esports,” Crawford said. “The games require them to communicate with one another during stressful situations.”
U.S. Coast Guard Esports team member, Petty Officer Third Class Matthew Swanson, found the opportunity to join the Esports team from a friend and tried out. For him, the game mirrors life on a small boat crew.
“The team aspect is the most important thing,” said Swanson. “In the game, if you lose a player during a fight, you’re probably going to lose that fight. Constant, clear communication is what helps prevent that. If someone is in trouble and they communicate it; we, as a team, can resolve it.”
For U.S. Air Force Esports team member, Staff Sgt. Tristan Biese, the tournament reinforced something he practices daily.
“Every team member is a different rank,” said Biese. “We have a major on the team all the way down to a senior airman. But we set the ranks aside to get the job done.”
Throughout the tournament, the 2026 Armed Forces Marvel Rivals Championships continues to emphasize what every service member already knows- winning requires teamwork. Marvel Rivals demands constant communication, split-second coordination and trust in the players beside you, mirroring the same principles that define military service and the Warrior Ethos. On this stage, the scoreboard is the proof.