Homeboyz X CZY Esports tournament (UP Next FC 26) did more than crown a champion. It sent a message that the Kenyan EA SPORTS FC 26 community is alive, competitive and ready for something even bigger.
When Mcoasty won the tournament after defeating Shaq 9-3 in the Grand Final, he walked away with Ksh 35,000. But perhaps the biggest victory belonged to Kenyan esports itself.
From the number of players who registered to the quality of the matches and the professional production, everything about the tournament showed just how much the local FC 26 scene has grown. For years, players have been asking for more high-level tournaments. Last weekend proved they are more than ready whenever the opportunity comes.
From left to right – Leonescott Maranga (Leo), BrayoVin, Santiago manager Suleiman, Mcoasty and Dav8.
Homeboyz X CZY Esports Tournament Raised the Standard
The tournament was jointly organized by Homeboyz Kenya and CZY Esports at the modern Homeboyz Esports Arena along Ngong Road. Unlike many local events, entry was completely free, giving every player a chance to compete regardless of financial background.
The numbers alone tell the story.
231 players registered for the qualifiers.
The best 64 players advanced to the Grand Finals.
Prize pool increased from Ksh 50,000 to Ksh 105,000 before the finals.
Matches from the qualifiers were streamed live on the Homeboyz TV YouTube channel.
Players also stepped away from the usual Classic XI squads that dominate local tournaments.
With the FIFA World Cup season in full swing, everyone was required to use national teams, creating a fresh challenge that tested adaptability as much as skill. That small change made the competition even more exciting because everyone had to think differently.
Kenya’s Biggest Stars All Turned Up
One thing stood out immediately. Nobody wanted to miss this tournament. The Grand Finals featured almost every household name in Kenyan FC 26.
Among them were:
Mcoasty
Shaq
Harry Kappa
Trex
Prorate
Lil Pip
Fox In The Box
Ibrah
Sam Jr
Ado
Jojo Depay
Lord7
Scad
Haruun Haruun
Mcalimoney
Seeing so many elite players in one bracket is something fans rarely get.
Phoenix Esports managers and players after the conclusion of the UP Next FC 26 Grand Finals on Sunday, July 19.
Every round felt like a final. There were no easy matches. Former champions were eliminated early while new stars continued proving they belong among Kenya’s best. That level of competition is exactly what keeps an esports community healthy.
More Than Just Prize Money
While Ksh 105,000 was the biggest prize pool offered in an FC 26 tournament this season, the tournament was about much more than money.
Players had a professionally organized venue. Fans watched high-quality livestreams. Competitive matches ran throughout the day. Most importantly, the tournament gave players something they constantly ask for – meaningful competition.
Tournament champion Mcoasty echoed those feelings after lifting the trophy. He praised the organizers and encouraged them to continue hosting similar tournaments because Kenya has an active community full of talented players who simply need more opportunities to compete.
“I want to thank Homeboyz for organizing this tournament, but we need many more events like this. There are so many talented gamers in Kenya, some even better than me, but they don’t get the chance to showcase what they can do. These tournaments give players that opportunity, so I hope organizers continue bringing more,” Mcoasty said after winning the tournament.
His comments reflected what many players have been saying for months. The talent already exists. The tournaments simply need to keep coming.
A Venue Built for the Future
Homeboyz Esports Arena also deserves recognition. The facility has quickly become one of Kenya’s most promising competitive gaming venues. Equipped with gaming PCs and consoles, it has been designed with serious esports competition in mind rather than casual gaming.
Hosting both the qualifiers and Grand Finals at one location created consistency while giving players an experience similar to international events. That kind of infrastructure is exactly what helps esports continue growing. It also gives tournament organizers confidence that large competitions can be held successfully.
A Reminder of What Kenyan FC 26 Can Become
The excitement surrounding the Homeboyz X CZY Esports tournament reminded many fans of the Betika Esports Showdown, which became one of the biggest annual events on the Kenyan esports calendar.
In both 2024 and 2025, Betika offered a massive Ksh 500,000 first prize, making it the dream tournament for every FC player in the country. Interestingly, Mcoasty was the winner of the first Betika Esports Showdown in 2024.
Although this year’s Homeboyz X CZY Esports tournament offered a smaller winner’s prize, the turnout proved something important. Players are still hungry. Fans are still watching. Competition remains as fierce as ever.
If over 230 players are willing to fight for qualification and Kenya’s biggest names all show up under one roof, it shows there is still enormous demand for major esports events. The community has not slowed down. If anything, it has become even stronger.
Why It Matters
Competitive gaming grows when players have something to chase. Events like the Homeboyz X CZY Esports tournament give young gamers a platform to measure themselves against the country’s very best. They also create stories that inspire the next generation.
A player watching Mcoasty, Shaq or Lil Pip today could become tomorrow’s champion. That cycle only continues if tournaments continue.
Final Thoughts
The UP Next FC 26 Grand Finals was more than another weekend competition. It was proof that Kenyan FC 26 esports has reached a level where bigger investments, larger prize pools and more frequent national tournaments can thrive.
With hundreds of participants, a packed Grand Finals, professional livestreams and nearly every top player in attendance, the event delivered exactly what the community has been asking for.
If the Homeboyz X CZY Esports tournament proved anything, it is that Kenyan esports is no longer waiting to grow. It is already growing. Now it simply needs more opportunities to shine.
Click this link to follow our WhatsApp channel and stay up to date with gaming news. You can also find us on Facebook, X and Instagram to for the latest East African and global happenings in the gaming world.
To provide the best experiences, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional
Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes.The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
