Telekom eAcademy 2026: How Brawl Stars Is Becoming a Talent Incubator
The Telekom eAcademy 2026 is setting new standards for community-driven leagues: 1,700 applications—as many as in the two full application phases of 2025 combined. This is a clear sign of how much the league has grown and established itself, and of how great the interest has become in a structured entry into esports.
Behind these numbers lies more than just reach. It’s about opportunities, development, and above all, a game that makes getting started particularly accessible: Brawl Stars.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)
Why is Brawl Stars so popular?
With its fast-paced, team-oriented gameplay, Brawl Stars offers the perfect foundation for engaging young people. Both in the game and at the Telekom eAcademy, matches are played in a 3-on-3 format, where communication, coordination, and game understanding are crucial. Short matches in various modes ensure that players can quickly gain experience, identify mistakes, and continuously improve. Each character in Brawl Stars has unique abilities, making strategy and role understanding central to the game.
The benefits of the eAcademy
The Telekom eAcademy not only offers a platform for gaming but also creates an environment where talent can develop in a targeted way. Many participants aspire to a career in esports and are already ranked highly in national leaderboards.
Here, they experience for the first time what it means to play on an esports team: making decisions together, taking on responsibility, and relying on one another. It’s not just about individual improvement in the game, but also about communication, mental strength, and handling high-pressure situations—all of which inspire them and prepare them for esports.
Unlike the Telekom eAcademy, esports competitions where prize money is awarded are only open to players aged 16 and older. This is not the case at the Telekom eAcademy, which is why players as young as 13 can participate here!
Another key component is visibility. By involving four creators and strategically using platforms like TikTok, the talents’ journey is documented and brought to life for the community. This not only motivates the participants but also gives them the opportunity to build their own following and gain recognition from fans.
From an open application process to the stage
Unlike in many open competitions, players do not simply qualify through rankings or tournaments. Instead, the Telekom eAcademy uses a draft system more commonly associated with traditional sports.
From the 1,700 applications, the most promising talents are first selected. In the end, 75 players advance to the next phase.
From these 75 talents, 32 players are then selected by 8 coaches in the draft. Each coach assembles their own team based on:
- individual skills
- game understanding
- communication
- development potential
- Competition under real-world conditions
The 8 teams then compete against each other in a league. Here, it’s no longer just about development, but about performance:
- structured gameplay
- clear match days
- direct comparisons between teams
At the end of the league phase, the top 3 teams will compete in a final at SK Gaming’s Magenta Facility, broadcast live from Cologne. Here, the teams will play live in front of an audience and live out their dream for the first time.
