The Pond announces a weekly Squid Game inspired competition
The Pond will be hosting a weekly, elimination style tournament for Mt.A students based on the South Korean hit Netflix show Squid Game, beginning on Jan. 15, 2026. Up to 100 Mt.A students will gather at The Pond for a chance to win up to $2000 dollars. According to The Pond’s Manager Andy Hebert, the idea for hosting the games came from wanting to help students create fun memories on campus, he said “I’m always thinking of more events to host at the pub, to engage more students.” He continued, “and I’ve tried multiple different things. I even made the pub into an escape room. But Squid Game, I’ve watched the show, and I thought this would be really cool if we could somehow mimic it.”
First released in 2021,Squid Game tells the story of Seong Gi-Hun, as he joins a secret competition with 456 other people, where desperate and indebted contestants must play children’s games to compete for millions of dollars in cash prizes. The catch is that each game is played to the death. Completing each round contestants grow closer to the prize money, with hopes of being the last man standing (and living).
For The Pond’s weekly event, the rules are simple: each Thursday, registered participants will show up to the bar, ready to take on a mystery challenge or task. Success in the game will permit competitors to move on until the next round. The competition could last anywhere from a few weeks to the end of term, depending on how many students are eliminated each round. The goal of the games is to narrow it down to just two competitors for the final tasks. Unlike in the show, Mt.A’s competitors will not have to pay for losing tasks with their lives. Rather, they get to cheer on their friends, as other participants progress towards the final face-off.
As for what these tasks will involve, Hebert said he could not reveal too much, in order to keep things fair and to surprise students. “All the games are going to be easy enough that anyone can do it, and no one can get hurt.” Tasks will be inspired by the show, but are designed in order to accommodate the space and the logistics of having 100 students safely playing one game. “During the show, there’s a tug of war. We’re not doing a tug of war, because I could see someone getting really hurt doing that. But, I try to stick with the show and kind of follow some of the games,” he said. Hebert continued, “For the most part, it’s more chance than skill. [For each task,] it’s something that everyone can do.”
Registration is open online through the link in The Pond’s Instagram bio, @the_pond_mta, until early January, and with a $30 sign-up fee. This fee covers a $10, green t-shirt, which students can keep, while the other $20 goes towards the final prize. The shirts will be numbered, which allows The Pond to keep track of participants as they are eliminated from each game, as well as paying tribute to the green tracksuits from the show. The games will be planned and judged by Hebert himself, along with Bookstore Manager Jenna Boomer, in order to keep students out of the loop about which game is happening next.
There is no minimum age requirement, but participants must be Mt.A students. As for why students should participate, Hebert shared it is all about fostering competitive spirit, and trying something new. “Why? If they want to have fun and have a chance to win money? If you’re competitive and want to win some money, then go ahead and sign up” he said. He spoke further about The Pond, saying, “It’s supposed to be a space where people can relax and have some fun. So, I’m hoping that people will come and watch.” So come on out, throw on your green t-shirts, or show up to support your friends!