Credit: Intel
The Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) is set to return to Australia this May, with a live event that will see sixteen world-class Counter-Strike: Global Offensive teams compete at the Qudos Bank Arena over May 4-6 for a record prize pool of USD$250,000.
“What happened at last year’s Intel Extreme Masters Sydney event completely blew us away,” said Michal Blicharz, VP Pro Gaming at ESL.
“The Australian esports audience was extremely engaged in the event and became a part of the show. That type of atmosphere is very rare. They left us no choice but to come back and do it again.”
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.
This year, the roster of teams competing at IEM Sydney will also be fighting for points towards the Intel Grand Slam, which will reward $1,000,000 to the first team that wins four of the last ten Counter-Strike: Global Offensive tournaments hosted by ESL and DreamHack.
Meanwhile, attendees 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. Fans will have the chance to meet their esports idols face-to-face at signing sessions, and participate in giveaways from partners and sponsors.
“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,” said Nick Vanzetti, Managing Director at ESL Australia.
“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.”
For more information, follow IEM on Twitter and Facebook and visit the official IEM Sydney website at iem.gg/sydney2018.
The general public will have the opportunity to purchase tickets from 10am AEDT Friday 2nd February 2017.
For all ticketing information, head to www.ticketek.com.au.
