How to Compete in the Porsche Esports Challenge 2023
The Porsche Esports Challenge USA is returning, bringing the best Gran Turismo 7 players together for some heart-pounding races and a live grand final.
The Porsche Esports Challenge USA debuted last year and saw a lot of fanfare as Randall Haywood lifted the trophy. Now, the Gran Turismo 7 tournament is returning, with thousands of racers from all over the world competing for a $30,000 prize pool, a one-of-a-kind driving experience, and Porsche-branded TAG Heuer watches.
The best part? You can join the races.
How To Play in the Porsche Esports Challenge 2023
The Porsche Esports Challenge USA will begin with three qualification rounds in the form of online time trials. According to a press release from Porsche, each online time trial will highlight “significant vehicles” from throughout Porsche’s 75-year history.
“Each car and track combination requires a unique set of driving skills that will push both driver and car to their limits,” it read.
Looking to prove yourself in these intense circumstances? There are three online qualifiers held in-game from July 10th to July 30th:
- Monday, July 10-16th, Round 1: Porsche 917K ‘70 - Circuit de la Sarthe (24h of Le Mans)
- Monday, July 17-23rd, Round 2: Porsche 959 ’87 @ Sardegna Windmills
- Monday, July 24-30th, Round 3: Porsche 911 RSR (991) 2017 @ Daytona International Speedway (Road Course)
Porsche Esports Challenge In-Person Qualifiers
There will also be in-person qualifiers if you want to try and qualify for the Grand Finals on LAN instead. These in-person qualifiers will be held at Porsche Centers around the United States.
Competing drivers will submit their fastest lap in Gran Turismo 7 competing on the WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca while driving the Porsche 911 GT3 RS (991) ‘16. The top four fastest drivers will be invited to the Grand Finals.
- Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles (Carson, CA) – June 11
- Porsche Redwood City (San Francisco, CA) – June 16-17
- Porsche Bethesda (Rockville Pike, North Bethesda, Maryland) – June 23-24
- Porsche Paul Miller (Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ) – July 14-15
- Champion Porsche (Pompano Beach, FL) – July 21-22
- Porsche Experience Center Atlanta (Atlanta, GA) – July 28-29
To compete offline or online, you need to be a United States resident and over the age of 18. For more tournament terms and conditions, read here.
The Porsche Esports Challenge USA 2023 Grand Finals
The top 12 drivers from the online qualifiers and the four top drivers from the offline qualifiers — 16 drivers total — will receive a four-day trip to California. Here, they will attend the Rennsport Reunion 7 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, the largest Porsche festival in the world.
Then they will compete in the Grand Finals, which will take place at the Bose Esports Arena. The format has yet to be announced but it will be in person. The date is also not official but the Rennsport Reunion 7 takes place September 28 to October 1, so you should expect the Grand Finals to be sometime soon after that.
The winner of the entire competition will receive $15,000. The runner-up will take home $10,000 and the third-place driver will receive $5,000. Each of these competitors will also go home with a TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Porsche Edition watch.
Olivia is a long-time esports journalist and editor who covers just about every game but has a deep love for the FGC. Her goal is to find community-driven stories that bring a new perspective to the esports scene. In the past, she has worked for Team Liquid, Rogue, Inven Global, Dot Esports, Upcomer, and more. Outside of esports, Olivia enjoys Kirby, Pokemon TCG, Fallout, and writing science fiction. She can be found trying out new foods, traveling, or hanging out with her two orange cats. Fun fact: Olivia can do some video game and cartoon impressions!