Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Global eSports stars to return to Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena

Global eSports stars to return to Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena
February 1, 2018

TEG has this week confirmed that the Intel® Extreme Masters (IEM), Australia’s biggest eSports event, will return to Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena from 4th to 6th May with a record prize pool of $310,000.

2018 will see the expansion of IEM, the world’s longest running global pro gaming tour, with 16 world-class Counter-Strike: Global Offensive teams compete live.

The line-up of top teams invited to compete at IEM Sydney will also be fighting for another point towards the Intel® Grand Slam, which will reward US$1,000,000 to the first team that wins four of the last 10 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive competitions hosted by ESL and DreamHack.

Four teams already have at least one or more wins under their belt that count toward the Intel Grand Slam, with SK Gaming leading in the challenge with two wins that bring them closer to being the first Intel Grand Slam Champions.

Following on from last year’s inaugural event, Michal Blicharz, ESL’s Vice President Pro Gaming stated “what happened at last year’s Intel Extreme Masters Sydney event completely blew us away.

“The Australian eSports audience was extremely engaged in the event and became a part of the show. That type of atmosphere is very rare.”

ESL Australia Managing Director Nick Vanzetti added “last year’s IEM Sydney event marked a watershed moment for the landscape of Australian eSports, proving that this region has a huge appetite for the best eSports content.

“Fans turned up in droves to experience the magic of the arena spectacle; the competition on stage was fierce and the crowd was electric. In Australia, the eSports audience is growing exponentially year on year, and IEM Sydney 2018 hopes to raise the bar once again for fans and spectators the world over.”

Last year, IEM Sydney drew crowds of over 7,000 esports fans each day to the Qudos Bank Arena across two main event days, while nearly 8 million viewers watched the tournament online. It was the largest esports event ever held in Australia.

Attendees of Intel® Extreme Masters Sydney this year will have the chance to experience a wider range of side-events and other attractions at the Expo, as the event expands to three days. As well as being able to view the world’s best Counter-Strike: Global Offensive players live in an arena setting, fans will have the chance to meet their esports idols face-to-face at signing sessions, and participate in giveaways from partners and sponsors. A must-see showcase at all IEM events is the Intel® Experience Area featuring the latest 8th Gen Intel® Core™ i7 and Intel® Core™ i9 processors. The immersive gaming and esports experience features the latest PC games, VR games, and Intel’s leading gaming technology.

For more information visit the official IEM Sydney website at iem.gg/sydney2018 

Images: IEM eSports event at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena in 2017.

3rd November 2017 - INTEL TO BRING ESPORTS TO PYEONGCHANG BEFORE WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES 

15th August 2017 - MELBOURNE CITY FC SIGN A-LEAGUE’S FIRST FIFA ESPORTS PLAYER

11th July 2017 - TEG APPOINTS NEW DATA, DIGITAL AND TECHNOLOGY MANAGING DIRECTOR 

19th May 2017 - IEM ESPORTS DEBUT AUSTRALIAN EVENT ATTRACTS 8 MILLION GLOBAL VIEWERS

18th May 2017 - AUSTRALIAN FIRST AS ADELAIDE CROWS ACQUIRE ESPORTS TEAM

11th May 2017 - CHINESE SUPER LEAGUE DELIVERS VIRTUAL REALITY IN LIVE BROADCASTS

5th May 2017 - AFL LOOKS TO ESPORTS TO ENGAGE WITH NEW AUDIENCES 

4th May 2017 - MOST PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAMS TO SOON HAVE AN ESPORTS PRESENCE

28th April 2017 - ASIAN GAMES 2022 TO FEATURE ESPORTS EVENTS 


Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.


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

Humanforce

Humanforce is a global provider of workforce management solutions for companies who need flexibility to manage complex workforces. Companies use Humanforce to manage everything from time and…

read more

Hospitality / Retail / Technology / Venues

 
 

Fluidra Commercial

  Fluidra Commercial Australia develops innovative, highly technical and sustainable solutions designed to create unique aquatic facilities for the 'Commercial Pool' category. Public…

read more

Aquatics / Environment / Sport / Technology / Waterparks

 
 

Debitsuccess

Debitsuccess is now part of Xplor Technologies.

read more

Billing / Finance / Fitness / Golf / Recreation

 
 

PlayRope

Playrope Aqua-Fun, are the Australian & New Zealand exclusive distributors for Vortex Aquatic Structures International, the world leader in aquatic playgrounds and urban water landscapes.…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Parks / Play / Recreation

 
 

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

 
 

APT Asia Pacific Pty Ltd

APT (Advanced Polymer Technology) is the leading global manufacturer of polyurethane-based materials, acrylic coatings and synthetic turf products for sporting and recreational applications. From…

read more

Environment / Sport / Surfaces / Technology

 
 

Pico Play

Pico Play is a global leader in the planning, design, development and construction of world-class themed attractions and entertainment that deliver extraordinary and memorable experiences to millions…

read more

Attractions / Consultants / Design / Recreation / Tourism

 
 

Mattioli

Gianni Mattoli Director 0412 360 378 E: gianni@mattoli.com.au E: marketing@mattioli.com.au Tony Aloi National Operations Manager 0425 762 864 E: tony@mattoli.com.au MEL · SYD · ADE…

read more

Aquatics / Recreation / Safety / Technology

 
 
 
 

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