Irish competitor Diarmuid Early stepped onto the HyperX Arena stage in Las Vegas under bright lights and loud music. The scene looked like a major sporting final.
Instead of a ball, he had a keyboard and a mouse. The battleground was a desktop screen.
Nicknamed the “LeBron James of Excel,” the Galway-born and Waterford-raised analyst is now the world’s top spreadsheet competitor. He won the 2025 Microsoft Excel World Championship.
The event featured a prize pool of $60,000, turning a familiar office tool into a global esports spectacle.
A High-Pressure Final in Las Vegas
The championship took place in December and attracted competitors from around the world. A total of 256 players entered the knockout rounds.
Only 24 made it through to the finals in Las Vegas.
Diarmuid said the atmosphere was intense. Most competitors usually practise alone at home in silence.
“When you get to Vegas, it’s outrageous,” he said. “You hear people roaring, but you don’t know why.”
Hundreds of spectators filled the stands. Commentators called every move as players raced against the clock.
‘You’re Constantly Watching Your Back’
The pressure rose sharply in the final rounds. Timed eliminations meant that every five minutes, the lowest-ranked player was knocked out.
“You’re just settling in and figuring things out,” Diarmuid said. “Then you hear, ‘Thanks for playing, you’re out.’”
He said the format forces players to stay alert at all times. There is no room to relax.
“You’re constantly watching your back,” he added.
A Long-Awaited Victory
Diarmuid is a three-time champion in financial Excel tournaments. This was his first overall world title.
He finished ahead of triple world champion Andrew Ngai. The win earned him $5,000 and the championship belt.
“It was super exciting,” he told BBC News NI. “I was one of the favourites, but I have a history of choking.”
“It was nice to deliver for once,” he added.
His mother watched the final from Ireland despite the eight-hour time difference.
What Is Excel Esports?
Excel esports turns a standard office program into a competitive sport. The scene has existed for more than 20 years.
It began in finance but now focuses on general problem-solving. Accounting knowledge is not required.
Challenges can include solving mazes, scoring poker hands, or organising historical battles using spreadsheet logic.
How the Competition Works
Competitors face a long challenge broken into levels. Each correct answer earns points.
The questions grow harder as the event progresses. Speed and accuracy both matter.
If players tie on points, the fastest one wins.
