Canal Walk was the place to be this past weekend as MTN SHIFT brought two days of non-stop gaming, and CWP paid them a visit to see what it was all about.
From intense EA FC 26 battles and virtual reality challenges to fighting games, racing and exciting prizes, the final MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience stop delivered an action-packed weekend for gamers and spectators alike.
Taking place on 29 and 30 August, the event brought some of South Africa's best competitive gamers together at Canal Walk for the highly anticipated national finals, while giving visitors the chance to jump into the action themselves.
The EA FC 26 National Title
One of the biggest highlights of the weekend was the EA Sports FC 26 National Final, where 12 of the country's top players competed for a share of a massive R50,000 prize pool.
After making their way through the competition, players Hamza Moosa and Zaid April faced off in the final for the national title.
In a thrilling finish, Hamza Moosa came out on top with a 10–9 aggregate victory, securing the championship and an impressive R25,000 first-place prize.
With players qualifying from MTN SHIFT stops across the country, the national final was the ultimate showdown - and Hamza Moosa proved he had what it takes to take the crown.
The Gaming Action Didn't Stop There
EA FC 26 may have been one of the weekend's biggest attractions, but there was something for every type of gamer at Canal Walk.
The MTN Beat Saber Challenge brought virtual reality into the spotlight, with top players battling it out in the National Final for a share of another R50,000 prize pool.
For fighting-game fans, Brawlhalla, Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6 delivered plenty of fast-paced competition. Players battled through knockout tournaments, with winners walking away with Canal Walk gift cards and other exciting rewards.
The Brawlhalla competition even offered the chance to win a R1,000 Canal Walk gift card and a ticket to BCX in Atlanta, USA, making it a particularly exciting prize for competitive gamers.
Race, Play and Win
You didn't need to be a professional gamer to get involved.
Throughout the weekend, visitors could take on a variety of gaming challenges and see how their skills measured up. From the SHIFT Fastest Lap F1 challenge to the Keyboard Rebuild Race, there were plenty of opportunities to compete for prizes.
And for those looking for something a little more casual, games such as Mario Kart and Subway Surfers offered even more ways to get involved.
Whether you came to compete, cheer on the finalists or simply experience the latest gaming setups, there was never a dull moment.
A Weekend to Remember at Canal Walk
The Canal Walk stop was the perfect way to bring the 2026 MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience to a close.
After travelling to different destinations around South Africa, MTN SHIFT finished its journey in Cape Town with a weekend packed with competitive gaming, immersive experiences, exciting prizes and plenty of energy.