EGX 2023 Kicks Off: Splatoon 2 UK Championship Grand Final Takes Center Stage at Birmingham's NEC

EGX 2023, the United Kingdom’s largest and most anticipated gaming event, officially opens its doors this week at the NEC in Birmingham, promising fans unparalleled access to the year’s hottest games, esports events, and exclusive developer sessions.

Among a star-studded showcase of Nintendo Switch titles, the spotlight this week falls on the highly competitive Splatoon 2 UK Championship Grand Final, organized by Nintendo UK.

Over four days, gamers from across the country will converge to test new releases in the lead-up to the holiday season.

Notably, attendees can experience hands-on demos for top Nintendo Switch games, including the acclaimed Super Mario Odyssey.

However, all eyes will be on the Splatoon 2 UK Championship Grand Final, slated for Saturday, which will see the best teams battle it out for national honors live on the Nintendo UK Twitch channel. The Nintendo Life team steps into the fray with a roster bolstered by two exceptional qualifiers.

Earlier this month, after a fiercely competitive qualification event, standout players cF|Flare and BluRacer7 earned their spots by delivering an outstanding performance.

Their combined efforts earned a remarkable score of 2,426.1, demonstrating elite synergy and map control.

"We were aiming for first globally during that rotation, but securing second was a strong achievement we’re proud of," shared team member cF|Flare.

Preparation was key, with weapon choices like BluRacer7’s preferred Octobrush and cF|Flare’s Trislosher providing dynamic team composition, especially given the evolving weapon balance in pre-version 1.3.0 of Splatoon 2. Both players bring significant competitive experience.

cF|Flare, a member of the European squad Crѐme Fresh, began their Splatoon journey on the Wii U and quickly advanced into tournament play following early updates that introduced private battles.

BluRacer7, who joined the competitive scene in early 2016, also transitioned seamlessly from Splatoon on Wii U to Splatoon 2 on Nintendo Switch, continuing to train for premier events like EGX’s championship. Their teamwork is the product of the robust Splatoon 2 competitive community, with the pair having initially connected via Twitter to form their qualifying team.

"We’ve crossed paths in community tournaments, and our respective playstyles complement each other," said BluRacer7, who specializes in speedy, aggressive slayer tactics with the Inkbrush and Octobrush.

In contrast, cF|Flare favors a flex role, adapting between Chargers, Dualies, and supportive kits like the Emperry Splat Dualies. As the finals approach, nerves and excitement build.

"Meeting the UK Splatoon community in person is a highlight for me, and I’m eager to see how we fare against the country’s best," remarked cF|Flare.

BluRacer7 echoed the sentiment, expressing anticipation at reconnecting with fellow finalists in Birmingham after previous encounters at events like Insomnia. Fans can catch all the championship action via the Nintendo UK Twitch livestream on Saturday evening.

In addition to tournament updates, cF|Flare and BluRacer7 will share their EGX experience on Twitter and YouTube, offering match recaps, competitive insight, and community engagement.

As EGX solidifies its reputation as the UK’s premier gaming stage, the Splatoon 2 UK Championship Grand Final promises a thrilling showcase of skill, strategy, and esports camaraderie on Nintendo Switch.

EGX Nintendo UK Nintendo Life Splatoon 2 Nintendo Switch NEC Birmingham cF|Flare BluRacer7 Crѐme Fresh Octobrush Trislosher Emperry Splat Dualies Overwatch The Visionaries