The British Forces Broadcasting Service (BFBS) has announced the inaugural BFBS Pro League Grand Final will take place at the University of Staffordshire.

On September 28th, the esports league built for members of the UK armed forces will crown its inaugural champion.

Eight teams will compete in Rocket League for a chance to become the champion of the league which launched in May for members of the UK armed forces and the surrounding community, aged 13 and above.

The league features a £15,000 prize pool in addition to other prizes ranging from gaming PCs to game credits.

“The enthusiasm and talent we’ve seen has been off the charts,” said Robert Wylie, Head of BFBS Esports. “Whether you’re a seasoned player or picking up the controller for the first time, this league has proven there’s a huge appetite for esports in the forces.”

“The Grand Final will not only show the extraordinary skill of these players, but also the power of gaming for the armed forces.”

BFBS launching its esports league is another step in the UK’s Armed Forces expanding its presence within the industry. In July, the Ministry of Defence joined forces with British Esports in a bid to improve digital skills among military personnel.

In recent years, military services across the world have leveraged esports to host a range of events and embark on hosting several initiatives. July saw the Royal Navy’s HMS Prince of Wales create an esports suite that will be used for tournaments as part of a wider collaboration with national body British Esports.

In the United States, the US Army has joined forces with several organisations and tournaments in the past two years. In 2023, it partnered with Complexity alongside sponsoring the Collegiate Esports Commissioners Cup.