The 2026 MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience Heads To Woodlands Mall

Woodlands Mall winners return to the podium at MTN Shift Gaming Experience

Several familiar names reclaimed their place among the winners as Pretoria’s gaming community gathered for three days of live competition.

Pretoria’s gaming community took centre stage at Woodlands Mall from 12 to 14 June, where returning champions and new contenders competed in the latest leg of the 2026 MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience.

The results reflected the growing continuity within the tournament. Zaid April, who won the 2024 EA FC National Final at Canal Walk, secured another place in the 2026 finals with his victory at Woodlands Mall. Michael Prange, who won Beat Saber in 2025, again recorded the top result in the category. Lesego Mosikare returned to win Brawlhalla for a second consecutive year, while Ighsaan Brinkhuis secured third place in EA FC 26™, matching his third-place finish in the 2024 competition.

Their return to the podium added another layer to a weekend that introduced new names across EA FC 26™, Tekken, Street Fighter 6, Fastest Lap, Subway Surfers and the Keyboard Rebuild Race.

A total of 619 people registered for the Woodlands Mall leg, with 2 486 people taking part in the live challenges and tournaments hosted inside the mall.

The weekend’s biggest result belonged to the, Zaid April, who won the EA FC 26™ Mall Final. April received a R2,500 Woodlands Mall gift card and secured his place at the 2026 National Football Final, which will form part of the MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience finals at Canal Walk from 26 to 30 August 2026.

Katlego Mphaka finished second in the EA FC 26™ competition, earning a R1,500 Woodlands Mall gift card, while third-placed Ighsaan Brinkhuis received a R1,000 gift card.

Competition extended beyond the virtual football pitch. Fighting-game players faced one another in Brawlhalla, Tekken and Street Fighter 6, while the Fastest Lap challenge tested racing skill across all three days. Beat Saber brought virtual-reality rhythm into the mix, and the Keyboard Rebuild Race challenged entrants to combine technical knowledge with speed.

Several competitors strengthened their records within the series. Lesego Mosikare produced one of the weekend’s strongest performances, winning Friday’s Keyboard Rebuild Race before successfully defending the Brawlhalla title he claimed in 2025. Michael Prange repeated his 2025 Beat Saber victory, while Ighsaan Brinkhuis returned to the EA FC podium after also finishing third in 2024.

Barbara Perry, Marketing Manager of Woodlands Mall, said:

“Woodlands was filled with energy throughout the weekend, and it was rewarding to see both returning competitors and new players stepping forward. When previous winners come back to compete again, it shows that the event has earned a place in the local gaming calendar. It gives skilled players something to work towards while remaining open and welcoming to anyone who wants to take part.”

The MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience next heads to The Glen, where the in-centre competition will take place from 26 to 28 June. The national finals will be held at Canal Walk during its in-centre event from 26 to 30 August 2026 where a total prize pool of more than R50,000 is up for grabs.

Remaining Tournament Dates & Venues: