AXL EVENT #1 SOLDIER CITY SHOOTOUT

The paintball community showed up in full force for the Atlantic X-Ball League (AXL) Soldier City Shootout, held March 29–30 at the legendary Black Ops Paintball in Fayetteville, NC. This wasn’t just another tournament—it was the kick off event of the spring paintball season, bringing non-stop action, top-tier competition, and big-time energy to the field.

Players from across the region came out ready to compete, and from the very first horn, it was clear no one came to play it safe. Black Ops Paintball’s pro-quality turf, tight layout, and spectator-friendly setup made it the perfect battleground for two days of high-intensity tournament play.

Whether you were in Division 4, Division 5, or just watching from the sidelines, there was no shortage of highlight-worthy moments. Teams battled it out with tight breakouts, smart lane control, and some wild clutch plays that had the crowd going crazy.

One of the biggest takeaways? The depth of talent on display. From seasoned squads making clean runs through the bracket to newer teams pulling off surprise upsets, the AXL scene is more competitive than ever. The Soldier City Shootout gave teams a chance to prove themselves—and plenty of them did just that.

A major shoutout goes to Solstice Law, who held it down as the best referees in the game all weekend. Their consistency, professionalism, and focus kept the event running smoothly and fairly—earning them a ton of respect from players and fans alike.

And speaking of recognition, a special thank-you goes out to Pete from Virtue, who presented a special award for Best Referee as part of a growing push to recognize the hard work of the officials who make these tournaments possible.

The AXL Soldier City Shootout also delivered big when it came to rewards. With cash prizes totaling $6,800 and sponsor prizes valued at over $1,700, teams not only competed for pride and placement, but walked away with real support from the brands helping grow the sport.

Of course, none of it would be possible without the incredible support of the event’s sponsors. Massive thanks to Gen-X Global, GI Sportz, Dye Paintball, Planet Eclipse, CRBN, HK Army, and MAXXT for backing the Atlantic X-Ball League and creating an elite-level tournament experience.

Whether you’re grinding for a trophy or just soaking in the action, one thing’s clear: the Atlantic X-Ball League is where the next generation of competitive paintball is making its mark.