KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) is proud to announce the launch of its inaugural gaming league, Combat Tested Gaming. Working alongside veteran-owned KC Crew, this landmark initiative provides a new platform for service members and veterans to hone their gaming skills while building camaraderie with other members of the veteran community. Watch the promo.
An estimated 3 billion people globally will play video games this year, and the VFW recognizes the importance of providing diverse opportunities for veterans to foster connections and combat isolation in an inclusive and support environment. Combat Tested Gaming aims to fulfill this mission by bringing veterans together through esports.
"Combat Tested Gaming is about more than gaming, it's about leveraging social engagement and skill development opportunities to build a strong community of support,” said VFW National Commander Duane Sarmiento. "Veterans find strength in unity, and this bold, new initiative harnesses the power of technology to connect them in a way that's both fun and therapeutic.”
To kick off this exciting endeavor, Combat Tested Gaming’s debut season will feature leagues for popular competitive video games Call of Duty®: Warzone and Rocket League. League winners will go on to compete in the 2024 VFW National Gaming Championship that will be livestreamed at the 125th VFW National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, next July.
Combat Tested Gaming registration is completely free. The first league play registration closes Oct. 20, with weekly matches set to begin the week of Oct. 23. All matches will be streamed live to the VFW’s Twitch and YouTube accounts.
Whether you game solo or have a brigade of battle buddies, service members and veterans from all branches of the military are encouraged to join Combat Tested Gaming for the chance to connect with their fellow veterans and experience the positive impact of esports.
For more information about Combat Tested Gaming leagues or to register, visit vfw.org/Gaming.