Unesc student wins university stage of the Red Bull Wings Cup 2026

Pedro Henrique Costa's passion for video games led him to secure first place in the university qualifier for the Red Bull Wings Cup 2026. A student in the Systems Analysis and Development (ADS) program at Unesc and a collaborator at the Innovation and Technology Center (CITO), he achieved the highest national score in the EA Sports FC 27 competition, which brings together university students from various institutions across Brazil.

Pedro concluded his participation with 1,877.78 points, after 89 matches and 89 victories. This result secured his qualification for the next stage of the championship, with the National Final scheduled for October 31 in Curitiba, Paraná. The competition will determine the Brazilian representative for the World Final, set for January 2027 in Miami, United States.

On the first day of the competition, the goal was to take advantage of the opportunity to play. Even starting after competitors from other universities, PH finished the day in sixth place nationally. This initial performance motivated the student to invest more time in the competition. "In the last hours, I was already exhausted after playing over 40 matches in a single day. In the end, I achieved the highest national score, with 1,877.78 points, in 89 games and 89 victories," he reports.

The experience also gained significance through the opportunity to represent Unesc. The support from students, staff, and members of the Central Directory of Students (DCE) made the participation even more special. "Feeling the excitement of carrying Unesc's name with me is something I've always wanted to experience, especially doing what I love most, which is playing video games," he states.

A passion that started in childhood

The interest in electronic games began in childhood, influenced by his father. The first contact occurred with FIFA 11. From FIFA 13 onwards, the game began to take up an increasingly larger space in his routine, eventually becoming competitive with FIFA 18.

The experience accumulated over the years, combined with dedication, was crucial for the result in the qualifier. Now, the preparation focuses on the National Final, with the goal of securing a spot in the world competition. "When I started, I never imagined that a participation for fun could take me this far. Now that I've come this far, I won't let this opportunity slip away," he emphasizes.

About the competition

The Red Bull Wings Cup 2026 brings together university players and participants from the open league in a competition of EA Sports FC 27. The University League takes place in person at educational institutions across different regions of Brazil, while the Open League is contested online through PlayStation Tournaments.

The National Final in Curitiba will determine the Brazilian representative for the world stage, scheduled for Miami in January 2027.