Blaster Tag Invitational on ESPN8 The Ocho: Competitive nerf and foam-flinging hits the big stage

When it comes to projectile tagging sports, competitive nerf and blaster tag have always fallen a bit behind Paintball and Airsoft in terms of recognition. However, that’s never stopped us from being just as competitive. Over the last few years, our hobby has grown a reputation for fast-paced action, building your own loadout using some of the coolest blasters from a wide variety of creative designers, and, most of all, being tons of fun to play.

I have been in this hobby for more than ten years and have seen it grow exponentially, and I say that knowing there are foam-flingers out there who have been around much longer than I have, and who have seen the industrial revolution this hobby has gone through since the beginning. Next week, in August of 2026, we have an opportunity to grow even bigger. The first Blaster Tag Invitational will be on ESPN8 The Ocho!

ESPN8 The Ocho is a special programming block held on the ESPN network every August, highlighting obscure and unique sports on the ESPN network. In previous years, The Ocho has featured the likes of the National Dodgeball League, the Slippery Stairs, and viral sportstainment favorite The Savanah Bananas. This year is actually their tenth anniversary, and they are going all-out to celebrate, with over 74 hours of coverage.

After over a year of work by several individuals and organizations, an exhibition tournament was pre-taped live on the East Coast last June. Competitive teams were invited from all across the country to participate in a bracket using the Flag Dash ruleset. 

This special feature is a big chance for a larger audience to see what kind of blasters are being used, and how so many blasters have been built and designed by our very own community members. It will also spotlight how much our hobby can differentiate itself from Paintball and Airsoft while still being very competitive. I, for one, am grateful that my team, “NO U Draw 5,” was invited to participate in this event, and I can’t wait to see us on TV!!

The Blaster Tag Invitational will be airing on Saturday, August 8th at 10:00 am EST on ESPN 2 or the ESPN app! If you have access to cable television, be sure to tune in or DVR this historic feature to watch later — and make sure to tell friends about it and share it around! If you don’t have a TV subscription, the Blaster Alliance of New England (BANE) will publish a VOD of the broadcast sometime later on their YouTube Channel.

While we don’t need recognition to make our beloved sport official, competitive foam-flingers have always dreamed about someday being on ESPN as a huge milestone to achieve. Well, that day is finally here. The Blaster Tag Invitational will surely put us front and center, introducing new people to watch and join in this awesome hobby! - OnlyFoamDarts

Photo Credit: Wes Chan (AKA “Fish”)