Melbourne to host Australia’s biggest eSports event this weekend

MELBOURNE will be hosting Australia’s biggest celebration of Esports this weekend. So you don’t miss out on any of the action we have your go to guide.

MELBOURNE will be hosting Australia’s biggest celebration of eSports this weekend. The Melbourne eSports Open (MEO) is set to attract gamers from all across Victoria for a jam-packed weekend of all things gaming.

The event will feature worldwide phenomenon Fortnite. There will be a dedicated Fortnite stage and on-screen action will be broadcast online and in front of a live audience. Fortnite fans will also have the chance to play alongside popular content creators on stage, with competitive matches running continuously for over eight hours on each both days.

On Saturday gaming fans can watch the top four teams from Australia and New Zealand compete live for a share of $67,000. On Sunday you’ll be able to see the main event, the League of Legends Oceanic Pro Grand Final at Rod Laver Arena.

The open tournament section will see some of the world’s most popular games available for ticket holders to enter. The gaming expo in the precinct will include personal appearances by eSports pros, free play stations, exhibitor booths, sponsor activations and technology demonstrations.

Check the details below to make sure you don’t miss anything.

Fortnite will be a huge feature all weekend. Picture: Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson

What’s on?

Fortnite

Fans will be able to join in on the action with a dedicated Fortnite stage. Gamers can play alongside popular content creators, with competitive matches running continuously over the course of both days. There will also be an all-ages dance competition at Margaret Court Arena where entrants can perform their favourite Fortnite dance on stage for prizes.

League of Legends Oceanic Pro League Grand Final

Fans can watch on as Oceania’s top two League of Legends teams battle it out live on Sunday. The winning team of the OPL Grand Final then will go on to participate in the League of Legends World Championship in South Korea.

Overwatch Contenders

On Saturday fans can watch the top four Overwatch Contenders teams from across Australia and New Zealand compete live from the Rod Laver Arena for a share of $67,000.

Play Pokemon

The Pokemon Play event will feature competitions for both the Pokemon Trading Card Game and the Pokemon Video Game Competition in all age groups. Don’t forget to register if you want to join in on the Pokemon Play action.

High School League

On Sunday ticket holders will be able to watch the best Victorian high school teams battle it out in the Victorian League of Legends State final.

Rocket League

Start your virtual engines! A Rocket League tournament with a prize pool of over $1,000 will run across Saturday.

Get more information on what’s on here

League of Legends will be a huge drawcard for all ages. Picture: Sarah Matray

Rod Laver Arena Schedule:

Saturday:

Doors open — 11am

Overwatch Contenders Australia Pre-show — 11.15am

Overwatch Contenders Australia Semi Final 1 — 11.30am

Overwatch Contenders Australia Semi Final 2 — 1.45pm

Overwatch Contenders Australia Finals — 4.00pm

Doors close — 7.30pm

Sunday:

Doors open — 1.00pm

League of Legends Oceanic Pro League Pre-Show — 2.00pm

League of Legends Oceanic Pro League Grand Final — 2.30pm

Doors Close — 8.00pm

Get more information here

OPEN TOURNAMENTS

Open tournament registration closes from 10am.

Think you're a Fortnite star? Or do you want to test your years of Minecraft knowledge? Why not check out the open tournaments being held and maybe pick up a prize or two.

Saturday open tournaments: Fortnite, Dragonball Firghterz, Supercars Forza Challenge, Minecraft, NBA 2K18, Quake, Street Fighter, Tekken

Sunday open tournaments: Fortnite, Dragonball Firghterz, Supercars forza challenge, Minecraft, NBA 2K18, Quake, Smash Bros. 4, Smash Bros. Melee, Overwatch 3v3.

Get more information and times here

The Minecraft open tournaments will be a great event for young fans to watch. Picture: Nicole Cleary

TICKETS:

A range of tickets are available. Punters can buy either one day passes for Saturday or Sunday, or weekend passes for both days.

Premium reserved tickets — $139.90 +BF for one day pass and $209.90 +BF for a weekend pass.

These tickets include: A seated ticket for the main show on the chosen day at Rod Laver Arena and General Admission access to all content at MEO on Saturday and Sunday.

Get tickets here

Standard reserved tickets — $69.60 +BF for one day pass and $134.90 +BF for weekend seating.

These tickets include: A seated ticket for the main show at Rod Laver Arena on the chosen day. Includes General Admission access to all content at MEO on your chosen day

Get tickets here

Ground pass tickets — Starting from $24.90 +BF for one-day passes and starting from $44.90 +BF for weekend passes.

Available for adults, juniors and the whole family.

These tickets include single day General Admission access to all content at MEO, including to the main events at Rod Laver Arena.

Get tickets here