Minecraft Education’s Battle of the Boroughs: NYC Students Build Their Future, One Block at a Time

The 2025 competition was featured as part of the first-ever New York City Video Game Festival celebrating the art, culture, and impact of video games. Hosted by the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, the festival is part science fair, part esports competition, and part gaming expo, spotlighting the city’s vibrant gaming ecosystem. And at the center of it all: the Minecraft Education Battle of the Boroughs Esports Competition, held in partnership with NYC Public Schools.

The event officially kicked off the ‘NYC Summer of Games’—a citywide celebration of New York City's booming digital games community. This summer-long series features marquee events, expos, tournaments, exhibits, workshops, and programs across all five boroughs.

Since its inception, the Minecraft Education Battle of the Boroughs has engaged over 10,000 NYC public school students, growing from 1,200 participants in 2021 to 3,295 in 2025, and from 385 project submissions in 2023 to 658 in 2025. More than 2,000 students have participated in live Minecraft esports events since 2023, with thousands more joining through CS Ed Week Play-Alongs, Code-Alongs, and related programming.

Fifteen finalist teams—one each from elementary (K–5), middle (6–8), and high school (9–12) divisions in each borough—earned their place in the finals after winning local qualifiers. These teams competed head-to-head for a chance to take home the coveted Mayor’s Cup trophy.

“Kids are so engaged and in their zone —this brings them out of their shell.”
— Leslie Gregory, 5th Grade Teacher, PS24Q

Building with Purpose

From elementary to high school, students designed thoughtful, imaginative worlds that addressed real-world issues—from climate change to cultural preservation—while building lasting team bonds and critical skills. But the Battle of the Boroughs isn’t just about creative builds; students were challenged to design solutions grounded in purpose and aligned with the real-world needs and values of New York City. From the research and design of the planning phase to the teamwork and time management of the timed build, and the communication and persuasion of the final presentations, the competition offers students hands-on experience that will empower them far beyond the game.

Brooklyn Bulldogs, a middle school team from Governor’s Island, centered their build on “my favorite three words: sustainability, accessibility, and inclusivity.” Their innovative design emphasized green practices and welcoming public spaces.

Manhattan Eagles tackled single-use plastics head-on, promoting reusable water bottles and integrating Redstone-powered features that showcased their coding skills. Every detail in their world was infused with sustainability messaging.

In Queens, the Neo NYC team honored the heritage of Ellis Island, building a historical fort, indoor volleyball courts, and accessible features that reflect the borough’s diversity and history.

Bronx Blocks impressed with a Museum of Immigration, Redstone-powered escalators, electric ferries, and gardens with indigenous plants used for medicinal purposes. They even accounted for sea-level rise in their thoughtful urban planning.

Meanwhile, Staten Island’s Steam Team engineered a full-scale hydroelectric power system, Redstone elevators, a cultural food bazaar, and a MakerSpace recycling hub complete with a 3D printer—demonstrating both ingenuity and environmental awareness.

“These types of competitions bring out qualities we didn’t know the children had—it’s transformative. Minecraft gives kids confidence, opportunity, and a sense of empowerment.”
— Jessica Guifoyle, 5th Grade Teacher, PS24Q

Meet the Champions

In the competitive high school division, Queens team Diamond Sword Bustamoney took the crown with a build that included piston-powered accessibility walkers, a Redstone-powered Statue of Liberty rain catcher, and a brilliant blend of history and technology.

While every age division showcased the tremendous talent and hard work of New York City’s students, the winning teams were those that best fulfilled the challenge brief while exemplifying creativity, collaboration, and technical skill:

• Elementary School Division
  Team Hyperpigmentation  
  P.S. 889, Brooklyn
• Middle School Division
  NEST+m Eagles 1
  New Explorations into Science, Technology and Math High School (NEST+m),
  Manhattan
• High School Division
  Diamond Sword Bustamoney
  World Journalism Preparatory: A College Board School, Queens

“When you think of New York City and the hundreds of thousands of students in the public school system, it’s easy for kids to feel lost. But this gives them a voice. It shows them that what they say and do—in school and in life— matters. It’s something they’ll never forget. They’re gaining essential skills like collaboration, problem solving, public speaking, and coding, all while forming real friendships. Many of our past teams are still in touch today. It’s truly amazing.”
— Kerry McGarvey, STEM Teacher, PS24Q

In a city defined by creativity and resilience, middle schoolers building Redstone-powered recycling hubs feel right at home. These students aren’t just playing games—they’re tackling real-world challenges, working together, and reimagining what learning can be.

Want to learn more about Minecraft Education Esports and how it’s transforming student learning?
Visit education.minecraft.net/esports to explore resources, stories, and ways to get involved and check out NYC.gov/digitalgames for more information on New York City’s Summer of Games program.

All photos by Lou Aguilar