Matt Engles

Matt Engles is an American paintball player, tournament organiser and former marketing and media director of the National Xball League (NXL). He is best known for organising The Leftovers, an international free-agent paintball programme that assembles tournament teams from players who do not have permanent squads or whose regular teams are not competing at particular events.[1]

Engles has also competed in professional ten-player competition with Maple Leaf Chiefs in the International Classic Paintball League (ICPL).[2]

Paintball career

National Xball League

Engles worked in marketing and media for the National Xball League, representing the organisation at tournaments and promotional events.

In July 2017, Planet Eclipse documented Engles attending a Mexican Xball League (MXL) tournament in Guadalajara on behalf of the NXL. His activities included recording event footage and distributing video through Facebook Live.[3]

In 2018, Engles represented the NXL during promotional activities surrounding the Midwest Championship at Chicago Gaelic Park in Oak Forest, Illinois.

A contemporary report by the Daily Southtown identified him as the league's marketing director. Engles provided information about tournament participation, international teams, event organisation and the NXL's national championship structure.[4]

In July 2021, Engles was again identified as NXL marketing director in an article published by Iconic Paintball. The report quoted him discussing the league's planned 2022 tournament schedule.[5]

By May 2025, Engles was described as the NXL's former marketing and media director.[1]

The Leftovers

Engles established The Leftovers, a free-agent tournament paintball programme designed to connect players who wanted to participate in tournaments but did not have an available team.

The programme uses online communities, including the NXL Free Agent Group and The Leftovers Team Group, to organise players into tournament squads.

A profile published by Brandon Olson in Paintball Dirt on 19 May 2025 identified Engles as the organiser of both groups.[1]

Unlike a conventional tournament team with a permanent roster, The Leftovers brings together players from different countries, experience levels and competitive backgrounds.

Participants may be independent players, members of teams not attending a particular tournament or players seeking additional competitive experience.

The organisation competes across multiple NXL divisions and playing formats, including X-Ball, three-player, ten-player and Masters competition.

Official PBLeagues records document the main Leftovers team from March 2022, with additional squads subsequently competing under separate names.[6]

By 2025, The Leftovers had expanded into a multi-team programme, entering numerous squads at major NXL tournaments.[1][6]

Tournament playing career

In addition to his organisational activities, Engles has competed as a tournament player.

Maple Leaf Chiefs

Engles was a member of Maple Leaf Chiefs during the 2023 ICPL season.

Official PBLeagues records identify him on the team's professional ten-player roster at the 2023 Sunshine Classic, held in February.[7]

He also competed with Maple Leaf Chiefs at the 2023 ICPL Windy City Classic, appearing on the team's registered professional ten-player roster alongside players including Thomas Hara, Jake Kennedy, Miguel Armenta and Mike Mohr.[2]

These records establish his participation in professional mechanical ten-player competition.

Media appearances

Engles has been featured in paintball media discussing tournament organisation and participation.

On 19 May 2025, Paintball Dirt profiled The Leftovers and Engles's role in developing the free-agent programme.[1]

On 19 January 2026, Engles appeared on The Planet Paintball Podcast in an episode titled Matt Engles - The Leftovers/Chiefs. The episode was listed as number 104 of the series.[8]

References

External links