Microsoft Excel world champion Diarmuid Early successfully defended his title in the inaugural Microsoft Excel World Championship’s (MEWC) Landmark Battle, finishing with 1,060 points to edge out runner-up Andrew Ngai by 40 points. The competition, held in an outdoor, multi-city format, required elite spreadsheet modelers to solve complex analytical puzzles while contending with real-world environmental variables.
The Landmark Battle Format and Results
The MEWC Landmark Battle, co-sponsored by hardware manufacturer Asus, moved competitive spreadsheet modeling out of traditional arenas and into public spaces. Four top-ranked competitors were stationed at global landmarks to complete a seven-part puzzle modeled after the journey in Jules Verne’s Around the World in Eighty Days.
The final standings for the 30-minute competition were:
- Diarmuid Early: 1,060 points
- Andrew Ngai: 1,020 points
- Jaq Kennedy: Third place
- Nicolas Micot: Fourth place
Competitors worked on Asus ExpertBook Ultra laptops equipped with portable second screens. According to MEWC organizers, the event aimed to simulate the challenges of modern remote work, forcing participants to manage their spreadsheets while navigating public distractions, varying weather conditions, and fluctuating internet connectivity. Each participant remained isolated from their opponents’ live scores throughout the duration of the event.
Strategic Execution: The Core-First Approach
Diarmuid Early, a New York-based competitor, secured his victory through what he terms a "core-first, bonus-later" strategy. This method prioritizes the completion of all primary puzzle requirements before the participant attempts to solve additional bonus questions.
This win follows Early’s victory at the 2025 World Championship in Las Vegas, where he also defeated Andrew Ngai. The competition has gained significant visibility since 2022, when broadcasts on ESPN introduced a global audience to the technical rigor of professional financial modeling. These events require contestants to solve problems involving complex data sets, ranging from virtual yacht regattas to spreadsheet-based platformer games.
Current Competitive Landscape
The race for the 2026 World Championship is currently underway. MEWC organizers have confirmed that six of the nine "Road to Las Vegas" qualifier matches have concluded. Diarmuid Early currently leads the qualifying field, having won three of the six matches held thus far.
The shift toward high-stakes, public-facing events marks a transition for the MEWC, which previously focused on standardized, desk-bound tournament play. By integrating environmental stressors, the organization is testing the adaptability of elite modelers beyond the controlled environment of a traditional office setup.
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