Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Fortnite esport event returns to Australian Open

Fortnite esport event returns to Australian Open
December 24, 2019

Australia’s largest competitive gaming event, the Fortnite Summer Smash at Australian Open will return to Melbourne Park from on 1st and 2nd February 2020.

Expanding to a two-days next year, the Fortnite Summer Smash will take place during finals weekend and will feature a $100,000 Charity ProAm on the Saturday followed by the $400,000 solos championship tournament on the Sunday.

The inaugural Summer Smash at Australian Open 2019 saw big names including Lazarbeam, Lachlan, Dr Lupo, Vikkstar, Loserfruit, MrFreshAsian, Muselk and Valkyrae team up with local electronic-duo Peking Duk, Dave Hughes and Nick Kyrgios in the celebrity ProAm.

One of Australia’s top competitive Fortnite players X2Twins Jesse took out the main prize, earning more than $100,000 in front of a packed crowd at Margaret Court Arena.

Players from around the world will be invited to participate in the $400,000 solos tournament, with the final field for the ProAm Charity and the championship tournaments to be revealed in January.

Explaining the Australian Open’s increasingly diverse offering, Tournament Director, Craig Tiley stated “we’re excited to build on the success of the Fortnite Summer Smash by expanding it to a two-day event held during the finals weekend of Australian Open 2020.

“Each year we look for ways to make the Australian Open bigger and new opportunities to attract more people to our events. The Fortnite Summer Smash will again see some of the biggest gamers from around the world do battle just hours before the world’s tennis players compete for the AO title.”

Tennis Australia Event Organiser, Mark Riedy added “our first event was a huge success and something all of the competitors and fans enjoyed. It was great to be able to host some of the world’s biggest names in gaming and we look forward to welcoming a similar caliber of players back for the fans again in 2020.

“To host Australia’s biggest event in competitive gaming during one of the major sporting events in the world is pretty special and shows our continued investment in promoting Australian players to the world.”

More than 1500 Fortnite gamers from around Australia registered within 10 minutes for the chance to take part in qualifying for the 2019 Fortnite Summer Smash

The event generated 11.3 million YouTube views across dozens of videos and creators from around the world as well as more than 100,000 consecutive views across all streamed channels.

The Australian Open 2020 will take place at Melbourne Park from 20th January to 2nd February next year.

Images from the 2019 Fortnite Summer Smash courtesy of Tennis Australia.

Related Articles

7th December 2019 - Olympic Summit encourages international sporting bodies to explore esport opportunities

25th October 2019 - Footprint of Australian Open set to expand in 2020

16th September 2019 - NRL partners with esports media company to evolve Grand Final week

9th September 2019 - Latest stage of Melbourne Park redevelopment now complete

9th September 2019 - Fortress Esports announces plans to develop Southern Hemisphere’s largest esports venue in Melbourne

30th August 2019 - MotoGP eSport continues to expand

15th August 2019 - Gfinity Esports Australia to close

2nd August 2019 - Money In Esports Summit coming to Sydney

25th July 2019 - Tennis Australia to change hardcourt surface for Australian Open 

27th June 2019 - China esports market value to hit US$1.9 billion this year

31st May 2019 - New guide explores the future of esports venues

16th May 2019 - Lendlease appointed to manage Stage 3 redevelopment of Melbourne Park

29th January 2019 - Record 780,000 fans share the excitement of the 2019 Australian Open

25th January 2019 - Virtual and Augmented reality experiences created for tennis fans at the Australian Open 2019 

10th January 2019 - Melbourne Park ready for 2019 Australian Open

29th December 2018 - New Australian Open extreme heat policy to allow 10-minute breaks in men’s matches


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

AlphaFit

AUSTRALIAN MADE. FIT FOR PURPOSE. Based on the Gold Coast, AlphaFit is a leading manufacturer and supplier of Australian gym equipment specifically for the commercial, strength and conditioning,…

read more

Fitness / Recreation / Technology / Wellness

 
 

AAC

Welcome to AAC – makers of the world’s best wristbands, lanyards, tickets, tokens and full-service print solutions. We are Australia’s premier global manufacturer and supplier of…

read more

Access / Marketing / Safety / Ticketing

 
 

Hadley/Series Australia Pty Ltd

Hadley Australia and Series Australia Pty Ltd are the leading quality theatre chair manufacturers in the southern hemisphere. The businesses work closely with architects, interior designers and…

read more

Arts / Culture / Design / Entertainment / Venues

 
 

CENTAMAN

Centaman has been a market leader in Enterprise Software Solutions for the leisure and recreation industry and both profit and not-for-profit attractions since 1991. It offers a wide range of software…

read more

Access / Billing / Fitness / Technology / Ticketing

 
 

TICKETSERV

As of 2018, TicketServ operates as SeatGeek Asia Pacific Pty Limited, part of international ticketing platform SeatGeek. Click here to contact SeatGeek Asia Pacific via their entry in…

read more

Attractions / Entertainment / Events / Sport / Ticketing

 
 

Otium Planning Group

Otium Planning Group is a contemporary sport and leisure consultancy providing services in planning, facility development, management and funding for the sport, recreation and leisure industries…

read more

Aquatics / Consultants / Recreation / Sport / Venues

 
 

Centaman Entrance Control

Turnstile Entry Systems and Access Control Centaman Entrance Controls’ Award Winning Range of Access Control Systems includes tripod & triarm turnstiles, speedgates, full height…

read more

Access / Entertainment / Sport / Ticketing / Venues

 
 

Felton Industries

Felton Industries is Australia’s leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of quality outdoor furniture and has been supplying premium seating solutions for all sporting, commercial, community…

read more

Parks / Play / Recreation / Sport / Venues

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business