Las Vegas hosts the Microsoft Excel World Championship and as someone who can barely total a column I am blown away by its geekiness!
Las Vegas hosts the Microsoft Excel World Championship — considered to be the 'Super Bowl for nerds' — and it doesn't get enough attention. pic.twitter.com/ZARYchVzZu
— Las Vegas Locally 🌴 (@LasVegasLocally) January 20, 2025
You think you’re good with Excel? Think again! Welcome to the Microsoft Excel World Championship (MEWC), where spreadsheets aren’t just for boring office work anymore; they’re an e-sport!
What’s the Deal?
Imagine this: Financial analysts, students, and Excel nerds from around the globe gather (virtually, of course, until the grand finals) to prove who can make the most magic with rows, columns, and pivot tables. This isn’t your everyday Excel use; we’re talking about solving puzzles, financial modeling, and yes, even battling it out for glory in Las Vegas at the HyperX Arena.
- Qualification: Anyone with Excel on their PC and a decent internet connection can dive into the fray. There are monthly “Excel Esports Battles” – think of them as the gym sessions before the big fight.
- Playoffs: The cream of the crop from these battles advance to online playoffs, where the real fun begins. It’s like the Excel Olympics but with less running and more clicking.
- Finals: If you make it here, congratulations! You’re in Vegas, and instead of gambling, you’re competing for a championship belt and some sweet cash. In 2024, Michael Jarman became the champ, pocketing $5,000 and proving he’s the spreadsheet samurai.
The Champions and the Laughs
- Andrew Ngai, known as “The Annihilator”, won three times in a row until 2023. He made Excel look like child’s play, but even he got dethroned by Jarman in 2024.
- The event has commentators, live streams on YouTube, and even coverage on ESPN. It’s like watching sports, but instead of athletes, you’re cheering for someone who can make VLOOKUP their b*tch.
Why It’s Hilariously Awesome
- Prize Money: It’s not great. The prize pool for 2024 was $60,000 with the champion receiving $5,000 – but the bragging rights are awesome.
- Community: It’s not just about winning; it’s about the laughs, the camaraderie, and the shared passion for turning numbers into art.
- The Surprise Factor: Who knew that the same tool used for budgeting and tracking grandma’s knitting project could be so competitive?