Human beings can be quite competitive by nature. This is something that is reflected in the hundreds of contests and competitions that exist today: beard championships, slap battles, olive pit spitting, and now, even a global Excel competition.
Specifically, this curious event is organized by the Financial Modeling World Cup (FMWC). And it’s not a niche event—ESPN2 even broadcasted this unique competition in 2022, as part of their television lineup.
During the 2022 Excel World Championship (that’s its name), eight individuals who see Excel as an extension of themselves competed against each other. Their objective was to demonstrate who was the most efficient in recreating formulas and different tables within a relatively short period of time. The winner would walk away with a substantial prize of $10,000.
Despite what many may believe, the Excel competition has managed to attract more participants this year. In the 2023 edition, ESPN will once again cover the event, this time in Las Vegas. And if $10,000 seemed “low” to you, this year they will be offering prizes worth over $15,000.
According to the established rules, all tasks must be solved in less than 30 minutes. Participants also have to answer up to 15 questions that vary in difficulty. The more challenging ones are rewarded with more points for those who answer correctly.
Would you be interested in watching this “new eSport” live?