New York City’s youth are engaging with the digital world as Mayor Eric Adams, Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos, and Commissioner Pat Swinney Kaufman launched the 2026 Battle of the Boroughs E-Sports Competition. This educational program involves K-12 students in gaming activities focused on city planning using Minecraft. The City has allocated an additional $60,000 to support the competition and provide necessary technology resources. Student team registrations are open until the January 16, 2026 deadline, with more information available on the New York City Public Schools website.
Mayor Eric Adams stated, “We're not just making sure our students are prepared to join the digital gaming industry but training them to lead it — that is what this competition is all about.” He linked the competition’s goals to developing students’ skills in complex problem-solving, career readiness, and sustainability. Last year’s student champions from PS 889, Nest+M, and World Journalist Prep participated in the event, as per the Office of the Mayor.
This year’s contest focuses on a real-world location, Pier 6 at the MADE Bush Terminal Campus in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, aligning with the Mayor’s office recent launch of the pier’s renovation. To encourage greater participation, the competition is accepting alternative design proposals for the project. Representatives from the New York City Economic Development Corporation are anticipating student-generated innovation and digital skills that could influence the city’s future development.
The digital gaming industry has expanded under the Adams administration, with a reported 90 percent increase in game development studios and an economic impact of $2.6 billion. The Mayor’s office has invested in initiatives including CUNY’s first Game Design Bachelor’s Degree and the creation of the Game Development Industry Council. The Economic Development Corporation supports the integration of student talent into its efforts. NYCEDC President & CEO Andrew Kimball noted the competition’s connection to city planning, digital innovation, and sustainability.
Minecraft Education, a central part of the BOTB program, is supported by Mojang Studios. Allison Matthews, head of Minecraft Education, stated in a statement obtained by the Mayor's office, “Battle of the Boroughs has proven that, when you give students a platform like Minecraft to show their creativity and critical thinking skills, they come together in amazing ways to solve complex challenges.” The city is preparing for the Mayor’s Cup Final and the New York City Video Game Festival next spring, with a focus on these young competitors as they design the virtual, and potentially real, city of the future.
