LAS VEGAS – In a stunning upset that transformed spreadsheet mastery into sporting drama, Irish competitor Diarmuid Early captured the Microsoft Excel World Championship title, dethroning three-time champion Andrew Ngai of Australia. The 2025 finals, held at the HyperX Arena, featured the intensity of traditional esports with a $60,000 prize pool elevating office software into a competitive spectacle.
Under dazzling arena lights with roaring crowds and live commentary, Early faced off against 255 global competitors whittled down to 24 finalists. The Galway-born, Waterford-raised champion described the transition from solitary practice to the electrifying Vegas environment as ‘outrageous’ and ‘hectic,’ with non-noise-canceling headphones failing to fully isolate competitors from the roaring stands.
The competition structure employs brutal timed eliminations, removing last-place contestants every five minutes during final rounds. Early, previously known for ‘choking’ in major tournaments despite his financial Excel championship wins, finally delivered under pressure. His victory earned him the championship belt, $5,000 prize, and the unofficial title ‘LeBron James of Excel spreadsheets.’
Now residing in New York where he operates a financial business, Early has gained client attention through his competitive success. The competition itself has evolved beyond its financial origins over two decades, now testing general problem-solving through challenges like maze navigation, poker hand scoring, and historical battle sorting – all executed within 30-minute timed sessions with escalating difficulty.
The emerging esport maintains an active global community through WhatsApp groups and YouTube tutorials, though Early remains hesitant about short-form social media platforms. With the next ‘Road to Las Vegas Battle’ scheduled for January 2026, competitive spreadsheeting continues growing as both spectacle and serious test of rapid analytical thinking within Microsoft’s ubiquitous software.