Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Tournament
About This Event
One-day Mario Kart 8 Deluxe tournament at Bakersfield eSports Center on Saturday, April 18 at 3 PM. Solo players, heats of four, 150cc, random courses and standard items. Survive your heats and make it to the final four for one last set of races to decide the winner. This is an in-person gaming tournament in Bakersfield, CA open to all skill levels. $20 to register early. $30 at the door. Prize pool scales with the number of players, so tell your friends and make it worth something.
Rules & Format
Players are split into heats of 4. Each heat runs 4 races on randomly selected courses at 150cc with standard items. The top finisher from each heat advances to the next round. This continues until 4 players remain, then one final 4-race set decides the podium. Auto-steer and smart steering must be turned off. No exceptions. 150cc only. All races are played on Nintendo Switch consoles provided by the center. Course selection is random for every heat. This Mario Kart 8 Deluxe tournament uses a heat-based elimination format and runs about 2 hours depending on player count.
Prizes
Prize pool for this Mario Kart tournament is based on the number of registered players. The more people who sign up, the bigger the pot. Check with Bakersfield eSports Center staff for current prize pool info on the day of the event.
Schedule
Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 3:00 PM. One-time Mario Kart 8 Deluxe event at Bakersfield eSports Center, located at 7104 Golden State Hwy in Bakersfield, CA. Heat assignments will be posted at the start of the tournament. The bracket progresses through heats of 4 until a final group of 4 remains.
FAQs
Q: How much does it cost to enter the Mario Kart tournament?
A: $20 if you register early. $30 if you pay at the door on the day of.
Q: Do I need to bring my own Nintendo Switch or controller?
A: No. All races are played on the center's Switches. Bringing your own controller is recommended for all tournaments, but house controllers are available.
Q: Can I use auto-steer or smart steering?
A: No. Both must be turned off before your heat starts. Staff will check.
Q: How are courses picked?
A: Random selection for every heat. Nobody picks.
Q: How does the bracket work?
A: Each heat has 4 players racing 4 rounds. The top finisher from each heat moves on. Once we're down to 4 players, they race one final set of 4 to determine the winner.
Q: How long will the Mario Kart tournament take?
A: About 2 hours depending on how many players register.