Sligo Rovers Take the ELOI Cup at the NEC
An Electric Day at the NEC
The first ELOI Cup finals run by the Ireland Esports Federation (IEF) and powered by WYLDE brought a huge buzz to the National Esports Centre (NEC) on the 22nd of March 2026. From early afternoon until late, players, fans and visitors filled the venue, creating a vibrant energy that pulsed through every corner of the NEC. People cheered on their favourite teams while players stayed locked in on their screens, fully focused on every move. Online, the livestream peaked at 1.4k viewers and the VOD has already passed 2.8k, showing that the excitement reached far beyond the building itself.
The Road to the NEC Finals
Weeks of competition across various phases led to eight players qualifying for the NEC finals. Each match brought its own tension and the crowd could feel it building as the games went on. Nerves often pushed matches into extra time, making every goal feel decisive. One particularly memorable moment came in the quarter-finals when JP Sleator, last year’s champion representing Shelbourne FC, faced MrWelly, representing Cork City FC, in a battle that went all the way to the penalty shootout. Sleator eventually advanced to the semi-finals, creating an energy in the crowd that carried through to the rest of the tournament and showed just how competitive the ELOI Cup had become.
A Tense Final
The grand final saw JP Sleator go up against Owen Mulligan from Sligo Rovers FC. From the first minute, the game was fast and intense, with each attack and save keeping the crowd on edge. Both players exchanged goals and the tension built steadily as the minutes passed. Owen scored the final goal at 89:29, just minutes from the end, to take the win 5-3. As he was being crowned champion, the crowd erupted with fans celebrating a tournament that perfectly captured the skill, determination and excitement of Irish esports.
A Milestone for the NEC and Beyond
With the final settled, the ELOI Cup marks a major milestone for the NEC, WYLDE and the IEF, showing how far Irish esports has come. It also provides a clear pathway for players to develop their skills in a competitive and inclusive environment.
Champions like Owen Mulligan now move on to bigger opportunities, including the UEFA eChampions League 2026 and the EA SPORTS FC Pro World Championship play-ins.
This tournament demonstrated, once again, the role of the NEC as a central hub for Irish esports, drawing together players, fans and organisers in one place. It also shows what is possible when organisation, community and competition come together, setting a benchmark for future tournaments.
By Rafael Silva
#GOWYLDE