Carry1st Africa Cup 2026 announces $30,000 prize pool
Carry1st, a leading African gaming and digital commerce company, has announced the Carry1st Africa Cup 2026 for Call of Duty: Mobile. The tournament offers a $30,000 prize pool, doubling the previous year's amount. Regional qualifiers will take place across Africa, culminating in a grand final on September 5, 2026.
The tournament aims to build a structured esports ecosystem in Africa, providing a platform for local talent to compete at a professional level. In 2025, the Carry1st Africa Cup produced the first African team to qualify for the Call of Duty Mobile World Championship, marking a milestone for the region.
Regional qualifiers and prize pool details
The 2026 edition features qualifiers in Northern, Southern, and West Africa. The Northern Africa qualifier was won by Paradox Gaming, who previously lost the 2025 grand final. Paradox Gaming has since acquired the players of the 2025 champions, Bear Clan (formerly Team Instinct), leading to roster changes. Former Paradox player Daniello has joined Cyclone and will compete in the Southern Africa Regional Finals on July 19, 2026, at the African Gaming Championship in Cape Town, South Africa. In West Africa, Culture Esports and Mighty Aura (Ghana) have advanced.
The $30,000 prize pool represents a significant increase from the 2025 prize pool, reflecting growing investment in African esports. Carry1st collaborates with Activision, the publisher of Call of Duty: Mobile, to host the tournament, including dedicated servers for African players.
Background and context
Mobile gaming has become a key entry point for esports in Africa, where access to consoles and high-end PCs is limited. With the continent's young population, mobile devices offer a low-barrier platform for competitive gaming. Carry1st's tournament aims to formalize the scene by working with federations and organizing athletes into professional teams.
The 2025 Carry1st Africa Cup saw the first African team qualify for the Call of Duty Mobile World Championship, demonstrating the region's potential. The 2026 tournament builds on this momentum, with increased prize money and broader regional participation.
About Carry1st
Carry1st is a digital commerce and gaming company focused on Africa. It partners with global game developers to distribute and monetize content, while also organizing esports events to nurture local talent. The company aims to bridge the gap between African gamers and the global gaming industry.
Media Contact
Company Name: Carry1st
Contact Person: May Lucky
Email: Send Email
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City: abuja
Country: Nigeria
Website: https://cup.carry1st.com
