For the first time, Paraguay’s own esports community welcomes beginners and experienced players to the biggest gaming event of the year. Center Stage will take place on 14 and 15 November 2026, offering participants the chance to compete in various gaming competitions. The event will bring together multiple titles and celebrate gaming culture in Paraguay. Organisers will host the tournament at EON Arena in Asunción from 12:00 to 22:00.
Center Stage was born from an idea to bring international competition to Paraguay. The event offers an opportunity for the country’s top players to showcase their expertise and skills and to position Paraguay on a global scale. According to the event organisers, small communities are often underestimated, which can lead to demotivation among participants. Center Stage places Paraguay’s gaming community in the spotlight as proof of its resilience and passion.
Futhermore, the event gives an opportunity for the gaming community to gain recognition from Paraguay’s National Secretariat of Sports (SND), which has been processing the documents to officially create an esports federation.
What to expect at Center Stage
“Attendees at the first edition of Center Stage can expect a wide range of gaming tournaments covering modern, retro and mobile titles,” says Carlos Esgaib, a member of Smash Club PY and the organising committee to The Asunción Times. “The gathering will change the competitive gaming scene in Paraguay.”
Gaming tournaments include Street Fighter, Tekken 8, Mortal Kombat, Marvel’s Tokon Fighting Souls Ultimate, Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi 3, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. Food stands will offer Asian cuisine by Food Dojo, video-game-inspired smash burgers by Game Over Burgers, and sweet desserts by Katerina & Co. Bakery.
How the competition works
The tournament format uses a seeding ranking. Highly skilled players face one another, while beginners compete against other beginners. Points are accumulated according to the number of inscriptions. The participation of international players representing Argentina, Mexico, Panama and Chile has been confirmed.
Among the most anticipated guests are the well-known player and caster Smashu, and professional Super Smash Bros. Ultimate player Chag of Team Isurus. Chag is considered the best Palutena player in Mexico and was one of the best in the world from 2021 to 2022. The Super Smash Bros. Ultimate community has also organised fundraisers to welcome international players to Paraguay and elevate the competitive scene.
A community that has grown since 2014
Smash Club PY, the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate community, has been active since 2014. It organises small monthly tournaments that attract 100 or more participants from various cities in Paraguay, including Ciudad del Este and Pilar. The community is small but open to any players.
Participants range from men and women aged 19 to 35 to children between 8 and 12 years old whose parents join them. Any new player is welcome at the monthly tournaments, which help with practice and strengthen bonds of trust and friendship.
Encouraging more women to compete.
From the perspective of Clara Baldacci, also known as Doomcy, a player who has been in the community for two years, the goal is to introduce more diversity to the gaming world. “Especially by motivating women to find their place among Paraguay’s competitive players. The community is small and everyone knows one another. People feel as though they are friends, so whoever wins is someone they consider a friend.”
Baldacci states that everyone feels as if their level is not as good in the beginning, but she motivates others to push through the early stages and practise without fear in order to improve. “It is not necessary to win in order to belong on stage. It is enough to enjoy the process and grow alongside this welcoming community.”
She started playing Super Smash Bros. Ultimate with her sister and highlights that she improved once she lost the fear of competing in a mostly male-dominated community. “The welcoming nature and helping hand of others became motivating.” She also mentions her quest to bring together a female gaming community that already has 15 participants.
Event support and ticket information
Various companies such as PlayStation, Pulso Gamer and Global Box, together with passionate organisations such as Ronin Team, Anime Fans Club PY, Tekken Warriors, MK Warriors, Joy Station Game Club and Smash Club PY, support Center Stage from within the esports communities.
On 14 and 15 November, gates will open at 12:00. Entrance tickets are available through the official platform and at the gates for ₲25,000 (approximately US$4.50). Tickets for inscriptions to any tournament are available for an additional ₲25,000.
Also read: Videogame Virtua Fighter Crossroads Introduces Its First Paraguayan-American Lead.
