NYC Public Schools · Grades K–12 · Scholastic esports

Build the city you want to live in.

Battle of the Boroughs is the NYC Public Schools K–12 Minecraft Education esports competition. Student teams from all five boroughs design future-ready, inclusive and sustainable city spaces, then face off for the Mayor's Cup.

Voxel-style illustration of a New York City skyline at night, with a lit bridge, green piers and an orange ferry on a floating island

2026–27 season

Dates not yet announced

The countdown switches on as soon as an organizer publishes a confirmed date. Until then, register interest and we'll keep your school in the loop.

15,000+
NYC Public Schools students engaged since 2021
3,395
students competed in 2026, a record
178
schools competed for the first time in 2026
15
finalist teams: 3 divisions × 5 boroughs

Source: NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment

How it works

From classroom build to the Mayor's Cup

Teams respond to a real NYC design prompt, then compete live in their borough before champions face off citywide.

01
Round 1 · Build & submit
Teams of up to five design a world for the season prompt and record a 2–3 minute video. School staff submit it.
02
Round 2 · Borough qualifiers
Top submissions compete in person in their borough: research, then a timed live build.
03
Finals · Mayor's Cup
Fifteen borough champions, one per division per borough, compete for the citywide title.

Elementary SchoolGrades K–5

Middle SchoolGrades 6–8

High SchoolGrades 9–12

Five boroughs