Major League Paintball ESPN 3v3 Mega Thread

The Major League of Paintball is coming to ESPN on August 1st and paintball will be live for the first time on the sports mega-network. Featuring the top four teams from the National Xball League Pro Division, San Diego Dynasty, Edmonton Impact, Red Legion, and Texas PBFit will be featured in a three versus three paintball match to determine the 3v3 World Champion. Here's everything we know;

The Rules

Since it's inception in 2015, the National XBall League has focused on the five versus five format for their paintball tournament series. For this exclusive event, the rules will be a bit different than the normal style seen on the MLPB Webcast. Three players versus three players will face off in 10 minute long matches in a race to score the most points before the clock runs out. Points can be scored by pressing the buzzer at the opposing teams start station.

An interesting twist in the game time clock will see a continuously running clock throughout the match, with game time stoppages only happening with a timeout or if the clock is under 30 seconds.

In the event of a tie, teams will face off in a sudden death one versus one. If no player wins the overtime in 30 seconds, the game will be awarded to the team that scored the fastest point during the match.

Teams will also have to deal with a limit placed on the amount of paintballs they can carry onto the field. Contrary to the NXL Pro Division, the 3v3 Championships will limit each player to two pods (approximately 280 paintballs) plus a full hopper of paintballs on their gun (approximately 200 paintballs).

All matches will be played on a compact field measuring 120 feet by 100 feet. 

The Teams

Featuring the top four teams in the Major League of Paintball NXL Pro Division, the rosters feature some of the best players in the world, including the 2024 NXL Icon of the Year Justin Rabackoff, 2024 Offensive Player of the Year Alexander Berdnikov, 2024 Team of the Year PBFit, and many more top athletes.

Edmonton Impact Roster: Tyler Harmon, Zach Yachimec, Justin Cornell, Brandon Cornell, Nick Leival, Tyler Panlilio, Mike Urena, and Dalton Vanderbyl

San Diego Dynasty Roster: Alex Fraige, Arturo Andrade, Harrison Frye, Blake Yarber, Joe Barrett, Dany Schonauer, and Kyle Barry

PBFit roster: Scott Stewart, Jon Chavez, Cyrus Garringer, Jake Johnson, Johnny Luckau, Jacob Sebaugh

Red Legion Roster: Justin Rabackoff, Alex Bernikov, Kirill Prikhidni, Jameson Stanton, Ediberto Vasquez, Pavel Karsliev.

The Venue

The ESPN World Wide of Sports Champions Stadium will be the location for this historic live event, the first time paintball has been played on Disney grounds since all the way back in 1994 when Fred Schultz, the founding father of modern paintball, hosted an event on Main Street in Disney at MGM Studios.

It may arguably be one of the most premiere venues paintball has ever been played at and with a reduced field size and faster pace, the games should provide excitement as the sport continues to evolve.

Predictions for the Event

Its no secret this rule set is going to massively benefit aggressive teams; with limited paint teams will struggle to control zones and big moves will rule this event.

To Win the Event: Red Legion

MVP: Alexander Berdnikov "Malloy"

Built on ultra-aggressive and calculated offensive onslaughts, Red Legion has to be the favorite. With the ultra-versatile Justin Rabackoff commanding a large stable of aggressive players on his team, I imagine we see Legion take this event home with Alex Berdnikov winning the MVP.

Don't Miss This Historic Event

Paintball fans, do not miss this historic event featuring paintball live on TV for the first time ever. With some of the best players in the world, competing in this new and fast format, it should have electrifying games and can't miss moves.

Tune into ESPN2 on August 1st at 10:00AM to watch the event live and show out for paintball.