Competitive Excel: The Rising E-sport Turning Spreadsheets into Sport

In the UK, organisers describe how competitive Excel blends data puzzles, speed, and strategy into a global e-sport, detailing round formats, big prizes, and the growing community.

Competitive Excel is turning spreadsheets into a high-stakes game. Across the United Kingdom, organizers are building a growing community, with Bristol at the forefront of expansion.

What is competitive Excel?

For about two decades, players tackle data puzzles in timed rounds, blending logical thinking with speed. Each round presents a data file and a set of cases; contestants must craft efficient, scalable solutions to score points. A narrative thread adds drama as performance is timed, heightening the pressure and focus. The field has broadened from pure math to include logic challenges such as mazes, poker-hand analyses, and sorting tasks that mirror real-life decision-making.

In Bristol, financial adviser Myles Arnott and colleague Giles Male have championed the format, seeking to recruit new talent and make the activity more accessible through added problem solving.

"It's the golden era of spreadsheet creativity," Arnott says. "In the last few years, the scene has exploded and offers one of the most exciting ways to improve Excel skills."

What does a round look like?

Competitors receive a set of jumbled data and case-based questions. They have a 30-minute window to complete as many tasks as possible from a single file. Rounds feature seven levels of increasing difficulty with occasional bonus questions. Each question carries a points value, heavier for tougher challenges, and ties are broken by speed. The format rewards both speed and accuracy, testing a mix of mathematical logic and quick problem-solving.

Becoming a competitor

Arnott and Male launched a Bristol meetup that now attracts more than 150 members from across the West of England and beyond. The event is pitched as beginner-friendly, focusing on logical thinking rather than advanced math. "You don't need to be an expert at the start," Arnott notes. "It's a great brain workout with transferable skills." At higher levels, strong math logic helps, but there is also a broad, friendly community of Excel enthusiasts worldwide looking to discover new talent in the West.

What's at stake?

The world championship finals take place in Las Vegas, described by participants as an electric, arena-style experience. The event features a belt for the winners and a prize pool of around £45,726. Several competitors also contribute as commentators, adding to the event's spectacle and helping to inspire the next generation of Excel players.

What's next for competitive Excel?

Microsoft's product team notes that the competition has pushed Excel to evolve, with new features like Copilot helping players work more efficiently. "Problems that were challenging ten years ago are now much easier with modern tools," one manager says. The MEWC finals are scheduled to return to Las Vegas in December, with next year's UK events still to be announced.

Expert comment

"The format blends practical problem solving with a competitive edge, expanding what Excel can teach outside the office," says a leading organiser. "It also creates a welcoming, scalable path for newcomers to join and grow."

Short summary

Competitive Excel is evolving into a global e-sport that combines data puzzles, time pressure, and community. A Bristol-based group is driving participation, welcoming newcomers and developing local talent. The world finals in Las Vegas showcase the sport's appeal and its big prize pool, while Microsoft notes how the activity informs ongoing improvements to Excel.