RAF Stormshadows see off BAES Falcons in topsy-turvy Inter Service Rocket League final

The RAF Stormshadows are celebrating after holding aloft the Inter Services Rocket League trophy in 2025.

They overcame a strong challenge from the British Army Esports (BAES) Falcons in a tense and topsy turvy grand finale, whose lead went one way and then the next.

The Air Force side saw it through 4-2 in the best of seven for the silverware, despite being 2-1 down at one stage.

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The game room's acoustics created a crescendo each time a goal was scored, and raucous support for both finalists boosted the performances of the teams.

Stormshadows Captain Aviation Specialist 1 Ed Nussey-Waite, game name Cedric, told BFBS Forces News: "It shows our grit as a team, how united we are, it's like a family.

"We have a code word, so if we're down and we're panicking a bit, we say 'relax', and everyone relaxes, and we reset ourselves, and we go again. Just really proud of how the boys have fought."

A fledgling tournament last year, the highly anticipated IS Rocket League showdown has gone from strength to strength, greatly boosted by the springboard of the inaugural BFBS Pro League in September.

Not only does the competition show off the best of the best in each service, but it also engenders a legacy of bringing through top talent year on year – something the esports representatives and military chain of command hope will continue to flourish in time.

This year's event has clearly been greater than its predecessor in 2024. Extra time in boot camp in Sunderland has allowed for additional training and moments for opponents to get to know each other.

Rivalries within a common cause

Healthy rivalries have developed between players and services, but it is clear to see their unity in building the profile of esports in the Armed Forces.

Players are acutely aware of the importance of such a task in the light of other esports being part of the military offering – namely Call of Duty, League of Legends and F1.

If anything, there is a feeling of excitement among the forces' top Rocket League names, keen to be pioneers in this venture. The excitement only adds to the atmosphere in the arena, which organisers hope will also attract new players and fans to competition days.

In the words of Head of BFBS Esports Robert Wylie, all involved are "together able to support the foundations of what we're doing".

Furthermore, as the relationships between players build, the hope is that such bonds can be of great benefit when deployed together.

Wylie added: "They've charged forward, they've made so much progress, but that blueprint can be passed down for the other games." 

Location, location, location

Having had to contend with, at times, converted sheds on bases or repurposed classrooms, the time is nigh for Rocket League stars to be afforded facilities to match their in-game prowess.

The state-of-the-art British Esports National Campus once again hosted the Inter Service Rocket League championships – a nod to the increased investment in gaming in the North East of England and the intention to make it a world-class hub.

A facility used by the best esports players in the world gives the UK military a chance to level up their skills and come together in person, using top kit and testing their mettle amid the pressures of a highly competitive gaming environment on an annual basis.

There is soon to be an addition to the landscape, quite literally – a 250-seater arena is now under construction.

It will help to develop the next generation of Britain's top military and professional gamers, according to the British Esports Federation.

The complex in Sunderland will be prioritised for esports, but its multi-purpose nature will enable it to host other events, including in the world of music and comedy.

It is located opposite the Stadium of Light, the home of Sunderland Football Club.

Future gazing

Exponential growth is not merely hoped for but expected.

Nussey-Waite explained: "The growth of Rocket League and esports as a whole in the Armed Forces is amazing to see. It's nice to see that bigger corporations are getting involved and supporting us and allowing us to do what we enjoy as well as supporting the future of the Armed Forces."

Wylie added: "What we see from this event is success in its rawest form. We see tangible growth; we see the player level improve massively across all three services.

"While this is tri-service and Inter Services, we can see all three services work closely together and bring up the level of esports.

"[It] gives people an eye into a world they'd otherwise not see."

A key element will be an increased Royal Navy presence – previously hampered by deployments, two teams competed in 2025, more than before.

Organisers say it's a clear sign of successful tri-service collaboration as Rocket League steadily builds its presence on the UK military sport scene.

Rocket League will continue to push for prominence in an increasingly busy Armed Forces esports landscape, but the general sense is that increasing numbers of eyeballs on the other options will, in turn, lead to growth in its following too.