S8UL Esports will compete in its fifth title at the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 after all three of its Trackmania players qualified through regional open events. Alexander “Whizzy” Page from the United Kingdom, Neal “Neal” Kamdar from the United States, and Kunal “Spark” Upreti from India will represent the organisation in Trackmania’s EWC debut, with Spark as the only Indian participant in the competition.
Trackmania is recognised as a racing esports title that requires players to navigate custom-built tracks featuring jumps, loops, drifts, and technical corners. At EWC 2026, the competition will include 32 players competing for a prize pool of US $500,000 (approximately Rs 4.7 crore) from 19 to 22 August.
The open qualifiers provided an alternative route to the EWC 2026, offering a limited number of places in each region through a cup‑mode double‑elimination tournament. Players with Elite Cup Ranking points were seeded directly into the playoff bracket, while the remaining competitors took part in a time attack stage to determine seeding. The playoffs consisted of four‑player double‑elimination matches, with only the leading players from each region progressing to the main event.
Whizzy received direct playoff seeding through his Elite Cup Ranking in the European qualifier, which included 41 players competing for six places at the EWC 2026. He produced a consistent run through the bracket, finishing second in round two of the upper bracket and round six of the lower bracket with 121 points in each round, before recording 141 points in the upper bracket semi‑final and 140 points in the upper bracket final. This performance secured third place overall and qualification for EWC 2026.
Whizzy said, “The European qualifier was incredibly competitive, so securing a spot at the Esports World Cup feels rewarding. I have always enjoyed testing myself against the strongest players, and this is another opportunity to do exactly that. I am looking forward to representing S8UL on a global stage and making the most of the opportunity.”
In the North American qualifier, which included 10 players competing for three places at EWC 2026, Neal received direct playoff seeding through his Elite Cup Ranking. He secured first place in both round one and round two of the upper bracket, recorded 121 points in round three, and achieved 143 points in the grand final. Neal finished at the top of the standings and qualified in first position overall.
Neal commented, “My focus going into the qualifier was simple: play my game and secure the spot. I am pleased with how everything came together, but qualifying is only the first step. The Esports World Cup will bring together the strongest players in Trackmania, and I am excited for the challenge that lies ahead.”
Spark took part in the Asia and Oceania qualifier, which included 14 players competing for four places at the EWC. He entered through his Elite Cup Ranking and quickly positioned himself among the leading contenders. He secured first place in round one and followed this with a second-place finish in round two of the upper bracket. Consistent results in the later stages, including 141 points in round three and 142 points in the grand final, placed him second overall and confirmed his qualification for EWC 2026. This achievement makes him the only Indian player to compete in Trackmania at this year’s tournament.
Spark shared, “Being the only Indian player to qualify for Trackmania at this year’s Esports World Cup makes this achievement even more meaningful. The Indian Trackmania community has continued to grow over the years, and I hope this result encourages more players to pursue the game competitively. I am proud to represent both India and S8UL on such a big stage.”
Scheduled to take place in Paris, France, from 6 July to 23 August, the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 will feature a prize pool of US $75 million (approximately Rs 714 crore) and bring together more than 2,000 players representing 200 clubs from over 100 countries.
