The performance of Vietnamese female athletes at the SEA Esports Nations Cup (SNC) 2026 has highlighted the significant potential of women's esports. Two Vietnamese competitors, Dao Mai Anh and Le Hoang Phuong Anh, secured silver and bronze medals, respectively, in the Teamfight Tactics (TFT) discipline, marking a crucial step forward for the female gaming community in Vietnam.

Held from 8-9/5 as part of Vietnam GameVerse 2026, the SNC is a premier Southeast Asian national team-level esports tournament. The Southeast Asian Esports Federation (SEAEF) initiated and co-organized the event with the GameVerse 2026 Organizing Committee and VNGGames. The tournament featured thrilling matches, captivating fans of Teamfight Tactics, a strategic game.

In its inaugural season, Teamfight Tactics was one of the four official disciplines at SNC 2026 and the only one to include a women's category. This provided a platform for 16 top athletes from 10 Southeast Asian nations to compete for medals in both men's and women's individual categories.

Teamfight Tactics was one of the four disciplines selected for SNC 2026. *Photo: VNGGames*

Across three intense rounds, Vietnam's two female representatives, Dao Mai Anh and Le Hoang Phuong Anh, delivered emotional strategic battles for the audience. In the second round, Le Hoang Phuong Anh opted for a "super beast" composition. After three rounds, with finishes of 3rd, 4th, and 6th, she secured 14 points and placed third overall, earning a bronze medal.

Meanwhile, Dao Mai Anh showed explosive form, securing a first-place finish in the decisive round with a powerful 3-star 4-cost Rammus unit. With finishes of 4th, 2nd, and 1st across three rounds, Mai Anh accumulated 20 points and won the silver medal. The achievements of both female athletes contributed to the Vietnam Esports team securing the overall runner-up position.

According to esports experts, the SNC 2026 results indicate that Vietnamese female players are making their mark in disciplines requiring high strategic thinking, such as Teamfight Tactics. These two medals at a national team-level event are seen as a positive sign for the future development of women's esports.

Female athletes competing in Teamfight Tactics at SNC 2026. *Photo: VNGGames*

A representative from VNGGames, the publisher of Teamfight Tactics in Vietnam since 11/2023, stated that while the female player community for Teamfight Tactics in Vietnam is expanding, professional platforms specifically for women remain limited. The inclusion of a women's category at SNC 2026 is a step towards creating more opportunities for female players to gain experience and compete in a professional environment. Expanding the esports ecosystem not only aims for competitive success but also creates space for diverse player groups to participate and grow with the discipline long-term.

Similar to other disciplines at SNC 2026, Teamfight Tactics adopted a mobile platform for competition, offering convenience and laying the groundwork for future mobile tournament systems. The game's cross-play capability between PC and mobile is a strength, expanding access and experience while maintaining competitive depth for players. This is particularly relevant given the high mobile and internet usage rates in the Southeast Asian market.

Players experiencing Teamfight Tactics at the booth. *Photo: VNGGames*

Beyond competitive aspects, Teamfight Tactics continues to demonstrate its ability to connect esports with community activities through its integration with Vietnam GameVerse 2026. During the event, fans could not only watch the SNC 2026 matches but also participate in meet-and-greets, experiences, and interactions with the gaming community. Combining esports tournaments with large-scale community events is a trend helping esports reach younger audiences and expand its influence in digital entertainment.

Community activities at the Teamfight Tactics booth during Vietnam GameVerse 2026. *Photo: VNGGames*

Teamfight Tactics in Vietnam is developing a professional tournament system, notably the National Championship and Asia-Pacific (APAC) regional tournaments. This tournament system is co-organized by Riot Games (developer of Teamfight Tactics), VNGGames, and the Vietnam Recreational and Electronic Sports Association (VIRESA). Through the Teamfight Tactics National Championship, players have more opportunities to improve their skills and compete for spots in top professional events within the APAC TFT esports ecosystem. In 2024, Teamfight Tactics was also honored as "Game of the Year" at the Vietnam Game Awards, held as part of Vietnam GameVerse 2024.

Teamfight Tactics' presence at the SEA Esports Nations Cup 2026 not only marks a new advancement for the discipline within the regional esports ecosystem but also highlights the growth potential of Vietnam's women's esports community.

Tung Anh