There won’t be an Arizona State Fair this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but you can still catch some of the fair entertainment online.

Last year’s popular esports exhibit is still taking place online. The fair will host a live Call of Duty tournament on Twitch with more than $3,000 at stake.

The competition is the third of three video game tournaments that have taken place this summer.

State Fair spokeswoman Brianda Martinez said the idea for the tournaments came up when organizers started to realize the 2020 fair wasn’t likely to happen.

“We thought how can we still be active? How we can still bring that joy, that fun and entertainment that people go to the fair for?” Martinez said. “Our esports exhibit last year was very successful so we said let’s just try doing some esports tournaments online. And it’s been really fun.”

Call of Duty Modern Warfare tournament

The Call of Duty Modern Warfare two-by-two “gunfight” tournament takes place Sept. 18-19 on Twitch.

Sponsored by the Arizona Lottery, entry is free and open to players 21 and up. Those not playing can win prizes by watching on streaming service, Twitch.

Players will play in “gunfight” mode which features two teams of two players facing off in multiple rounds, the first to six wins the match. 

Every two rounds a new set of random weapons and equipment are chosen that all 4 players must use. There are no respawns. If any player is eliminated, they are out for the rest of the round.

‘Arizona’s getting involved in esports’

This is the third of three tournaments the fair has hosted. A League of Legends cup happened in July and more than 100 gamers attended last month’s Rocket League cup.

With the tournament already at 80 gamers, Video Game Day on Saturday, Sept. 12 could bring even more.

To help manage the virtual crowds, fair organizers got the help of local game enthusiast and owner of Pure Esports, Dan Artt.

Artt left his corporate job to focus on his passion for gaming and opened the esports center in Gilbert. With Pure Esports, Artt runs local tournaments for amateurs, hosting three-to-four tournaments a week across several different games.

“Arizona’s getting involved in esports and it’s really cool to see,” Artt said.

“We opened up our facility as kind of like a safe place for gamers to socialize with each other because gaming can be a lonely activity.”

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, business at the esports center has slowed, but events like the state fair’s tournaments keep his team of live broadcasters busy. Commentators remark on the action on screen for viewers during competition similar to an NBA or other sports broadcast.

“We’ve been helping, the Arizona State Fair and the Arizona lottery get behind esports. I work with a few schools in the Valley and Universities as well helping them with their esports programs,” Artt said.

“I’m just trying my best to legitimize gaming as not a waste of time, but an opportunity to perhaps get a scholarship, get your education which is what we’re seeing nowadays, like any other sports, so it’s kind of beautiful.”

Arizona Call of Duty Cup

What: Arizona State Fair hosts a Call of Duty: Modern Warfare two by two “Gunfight” tournament. “Gunfight” mode features two teams of two players facing off in multiple rounds.

When: Sept. 18-19

Where: twitch.tv/azstatefair

Registration: free entry, players must be 21 years old and up. Visit azstatefair.com/esports to register.

Elizabeth Montgomery is Arts and Culture Reporter for The Arizona Republic, azcentral.com. Reach her at [email protected] or 602-444-8764. Follow her on Twitter @emontnews.Support local journalism.Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

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