Montgomery gamers unite for Fortnite tournament

Montgomery’s Parks and Recreation Department will host a Fortnite tournament on May 29 at the Chisholm Community Center, located at 545 E Vandiver Blvd. The event, open to players aged 13 and older, will feature a 20-player double-elimination bracket with a $10 entry fee covering registration, food, and a drink. The winner will receive a SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 wireless gaming headset valued at around $150. Pre-registration is mandatory through Luma at luma.com/pjap3vmj, with check-ins and warm-ups starting at 4:30 p.m. The tournament runs from 5 to 9 p.m. and follows a lock-in format, meaning the center will close to outside guests once play begins. Players under 16 must be accompanied by a guardian aged 21 or older. The event will use the 1v1 Build Fight Rezon map with a blue loadout, allowing heals but prohibiting infinite sprint. Players can indicate console preferences (PC, PlayStation 5, or Xbox Series X) during pre-registration, though equipment is provided on-site. Personal peripherals like keyboards or controllers are permitted but subject to inspection. Nelson Jancaterino, director of the Chisholm Community Center, noted the tournament reflects growing Esports demand, particularly among Alabama high schools and colleges offering gaming scholarships. The center’s game room, equipped with multiple consoles, is one of three in Montgomery designed for Esports competitions. Adults may compete, but Jancaterino emphasized the high skill level of teen participants, many of whom are under 15. The tournament will be live-streamed to a TV in the center’s multipurpose room, allowing spectators to watch from across the hall. Late arrivals will not be permitted entry.