RAF make second place as US Army win Code Bowl Esports tournament

The Royal Air Force have come second in Code Bowl 2024 as the US Army beat top military teams and influencers from around the world to lift the gaming trophy.

The national anthems of Canada, the United Kingdom and hosts the USA were the centrepiece of a ceremonious start to the apex event of the military Esports calendar.

From the UK, teams from the Royal Navy, British Army and RAF stepped up to the plate to take on Code Bowl – the international Call of Duty showdown.

The imposing columns inside the National Building Museum in Washington DC provided a stunning and contrasting backdrop for hundreds of computer screens and stations with the latest in gaming technology.

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Jason Fox from SAS Who Dares Wins gave his support to UK military personnel at the event.

He told BFBS: "I think it's always good to have some form of virtual battlefield scenario training to do, because obviously it's great because you're not using training areas, you're saving a bit of cash, but you're making sure that the people that are involved in those virtual training sessions, like COD [Call of Duty], are aware of what they need to do when they actually then get out on the ground.

"I suppose it brings a bit more situational awareness before you actually then start doing things, so it can only be a brilliant thing."

RAF team captain AS1 Jamie Griffith said having cameras and coverage of the event offered a wider benefit to the players.

He said: "It's massive, specifically through the military with it being such a worldwide event, and so many eyes on this event for the military.

"It's huge, both to represent the military and have them on that world stage, but also for us within the RAF, it's good to be role models or someone to look up to for those guys who are maybe just playing in their bedroom and they've never really thought about being competitive before, it's good to showcase that."

The organisers hope the spotlight on this year's tournament will encourage more military personnel and civilians to take up Esports and go for glory in future years.