Australian fighting game event runners and community. Hosts of BAM: Battle Arena Melbourne, Australia's largest fighting game/open entry esports event.
Another huge weekend has marked the 11th annual Battle Arena Melbourne! BAM11 saw Australia’s biggest fighting game event step into its second decade, and third year at the Melbourne Convention Centre. The CouchWarriors team, a group of community volunteer organisers is incredibly proud of the event blown away by the response of the community.
Among other achievements, BAM11 had 1,020 unique fighting game competitors! Add to that nearly 500 spectators, PC LAN and Splatoon 2 competitors, and our total attendance by footfall was 4,412! This is by far the biggest open entry esports competition in Australia and New Zealand. Thank you all for another record breaking year!
Of course, the real story of BAM11 every year is the incredible feats in each tournament. With 42 events over 3 days, there were multiple national championships and hundreds of stories of small rivalries to legendary finals including many with international superstars.
We saw the first Mortal Kombat 11 major, the biggest tournament ever for Smash Ultimate and global points on the line in Tekken World Tour and Capcom Pro Tour. In fact, tournament attendances rose across the board. All this, and we crowned ANZ champions in the BAM PATH TO EVO finals for SFV, Tekken and Smash Ultimate, meaning three players are going to EVO World Championships with flight and accom expenses paid.
Australian fighting game championships BAM11 launches today, breaks ground for ANZ esports with over 1,000 competitors pre-registered
Australia’s largest open esports event, breaks a major attendance milestone and offers $50,000+ Prize Pool at its 11th Annual event. Full gaming festival schedule announced.
Melbourne, Friday May 17, 2019 – CouchWarriors announced today that Australia’s national championship for fighting games, part of global esports circuits, has confirmed over 1,000 players are already preregistered to compete, a 15% increase year on year. BAM11 is on track to beat last year’s 2,000 total attendance. Record breaking numbers have signed up for Super Smash Bros Ultimate, Tekken, Mortal Kombat and more. Across all events, there is over $50,000 in cash and prize value to be won. Also a gaming festival with cosplay, artist alley, indie developers and a PC LAN, the full schedule of features for players and spectators has been announced.
BAM11, presented by Mortal Kombat 11, returns to Melbourne Convention Centre starting today Friday, 17th May and running to Sunday 19th May.
Some tournaments are still open including for spectators.
All major tournaments will be streamed live on Twitch.TV. Full schedule
Watch the Event Trailer:
BAM11 attracts international pro players to Australia, while simultaneously launching local players on the global scene. Three ANZ based players will win trips to EVO World Championships in Las Vegas.
BAM11 is the Australian stop for global circuits for Tekken 7 as a Master event in the Tekken World Tour, and Street Fighter V as a Ranking Event on the Capcom Pro Tour.
Among the 42 events at BAM11, this is first mega event for Super Smash Bros Ultimate, and the first major for Mortal Kombat 11, the event presenting partner.
An unmissable event in the gaming community, especially for fighting game fans. As an open entry event, every player has the chance to play world champions, and become a national champion. The record breaking numbers continue in individual tournaments.
Super Smash Bros Ultimate – 340 entrants. The biggest fighting game tournament in ANZ history
Tekken 7 – 257 entrants. The biggest Tekken event in ANZ history, returning for the second time as a Master event on the Tekken World Tour
Street Fighter V – 120 entrants, 6th year on the Capcom Pro Tour.
Super Smash Bros Melee – 140 entrants. The grand tradition continues
Tekken 7 and Street Fighter V have multiple world famous international players arriving on our shores including JDCR (South Korea), Xian (Singapore), Gamerbee (Taiwan), Kbrad (USA) and Bonchan (Japan)
Activity for Spectators, Gaming and Pop Culture fans
Alongside these marquee tournaments there are hundreds of players across 42 events. It’s not only fighting games, as BAM11 plays host to great features that Spectators can enjoy
AMD and MWAVE PC LAN area featuring APEX LEGENDS, QUAKE CHAMPIONS, BRAWLHALLA and ROCKET LEAGUE
Competitor passes for five “Platinum” level titles are closed but Gold and Silver level tournaments are still open, and Spectator tickets are available all weekend for only $20 including at the door.
BAM Path To EVO – launching ANZ players on the world stage
BAM11 will also determine which 3 ANZ players will be declared best in region for Tekken, Street Fighter and Smash Bros, winning a trip to the EVO World Championships in Las Vegas in the finals of the BAM Path To EVO series.
CouchWarriors, established 2006, is an expert in gaming tournaments and esports events. A community run not for profit with over 10 years experience, grown from the vibrant fighting game community. Hosts of Battle Arena Melbourne (BAM), Australia’s largest open entry esports tournament event. CouchWarriors offer casual and grassroots events, scaling to tournaments at the national level. Both beginner to expert players have room with our inclusive approach, from a professionally minded tournament team. CouchWarriors also offers commercial events services from tournament organisation and administration, live streaming, event management and staffing. CouchWarriors have supported events including Melbourne Esports Open, Madman Anime Festival and PAX Australia. To learn more about CouchWarriors, visit www.couchwarriors.org, www.facebook.com/couchwarriors, or www.twitter.com/couchwarriors
This year’s BAM11 is bigger than ever and there is even more to do! If you only enter the event with a Spectator pass! It’s only $20 for the whole weekend available online or at the door. While only those with a Competitor Passes can play in our hosted tournaments and casual areas, we still have you covered for the full three days.
?? – See our incredible tournaments first hand as our competitors go head to head in the pools and on the stage.
?- Visit the amazing talent visiting the Artist Alley.
? – Play some of the amazing games in the Indiecade.
CouchWarriors is excited to announce that the official BAM11 Afterparty will again be held at the General Assembly at South Wharf!
A gorgeous and large bar/restaurant with outdoor and indoor spaces located right next to MCEC. The afterparty will start on May 19 at 7 PM so you can walk out of MCEC immediately after BAM11 finals day ends and straight into the after party venue! We will have drinks till late together with multiple setups there for runbacks and team matches. Relax over dinner and discuss your BAM weekend, play ping pong, and enjoy good company and drinks by the Melbourne city skyline.
The BAM11 Indiecade is back for it’s second year in a row! Come check out some of these indie titles and chat to the developers first hand about your experience!
GOATi Entertainment
Featuring their game “22 Racing Series”, GOATi entertainment joins us for BAM11. Described as “Wipeout, meets Gran Turismo, meets Starcraft, meets Monopoly” 22 Racing Series is a high speed physics based strategy racer like you’ve never played before! Come by their booth throughout the weekend to give them game a shot and be greeted by certainly the most unique racer you will play this year.
Creating music for several fantastic games such as Orwell, This is the Police and most recently Wargroove, Boss Battle Records is coming games in hand to BAM11 for a fantastic weekend of tunes and games. Showcasing one the latest games from developer Chucklefish (makers of fantastic indies such as Stardew Valley, Starbound and Timespinners) Wargroove promises tactical co-op battles for up to 4 players, robust customisation tools, and of course, top tier music. Make sure to take a breather from your intense tournament matches and come check out Boss Battle Records’ booth at BAM11.
Battle Arena Melbourne 11 is fast approaching for it’s eleventh year in a row and we are excited to announce this years guests attending our artist alley!
Chamba
Jeffery “CHAMBA” Cruz is a renowned artist known for his work at UDON’s Street Fighter Comic series. Always a friend to the community (even doing some offical work for BAM in previous years, including the fantastic shirts for BAM9 in 2017) Chamba is back again for another year to sell and show off his fantastic, unique and stylish fighting game inspired art that is sure to bring a lot of personal flare to any player who wants to show off their FGC passion. theCHAMBA.com
Danyon Street
Danyon Street is a full time Freelance artist that has worked for a number of small film companies,game development groups, self published authors and startups.
Danyon also travels the country selling his art as printed posters that range from fan art to personal work. During conventions he also takes traditional ink commissions in addition to bookings for future work, from fan art pieces to a client’s personal visions. www.artstation.com/baronomega
Guzzardi Art
Shenae and Mel Guzzardi, identical twins from Melbourne, Australia. They will be selling prints of their artwork based on video games, anime, film and pop culture, as well as offering commissions for custom art pieces. guzzardiart.weebly.com
Spintintin
Spin is an avid Nintendo fan, so the staple franchises you can expect to see at his table include such great Nintendo staples as Splatoon, Smash Bros. and Pokemon. Spin will be selling A4 and A5 prints, badges and stickers! As a personal message Spin says “I’m excited to meet you all – it’s going to be a fantastic weekend. See you there!” spintintin.artstation.com/
Ranescu
Featuring charms and badges of fan favorites, curated by the local Fighting Game Community. Commissions also available on-site. irenescu.wixsite.com/home
Edyucation
Edyucation creates art that blends character illustration and graphic design together into unique art pieces. As a novice Smash Bros. player for 5 years Ed is ready to give back to the community by sharing and selling their art at BAM11.
Edyucation will be featuring Smash Bros. related art as well as some additional game fanart at this year’s BAM so come take a look and add some great art to your personal collection.
Revealing the BAM11 official Tshirts! Grab these when you Register for the tournament, or add to your registration. You can also purchase at the event. www.smash.gg/bam11
This year we have two designs. First, a characterful XI symbol with art by JEL! See more of her amazing work here https://www.artstation.com/jelart
Plus we have a new concept for FGC lifestyle T’s with the FGC BBQ Tshirt! Nice design by CouchWarriors QLD’s own TKjaBBu
Limited numbers at BAM in White and Black. Let us know if you’re interested in more of this kind of thing in future!
Most anticipated fighting game of 2019, Mortal Kombat™11, announced as Platinum Sponsor for BAM11, Australia’s major fighting game championships.
Thursday May 18, 2019 – In anticipation of this year’s biggest fighting game release, CouchWarriors today announced MORTAL KOMBAT™ 11 as the presenting partner for BAM11 – Australia’s largest open esports event and fighting game championships.
Leading the many prizes on offer, this major BAM11 Mortal Kombat™ 11 tournament will feature a $2,000 AUD cash prize bonus, while every participant will receive exclusive Mortal Kombat™ 11 merch for entering.
BAM11, or Battle Arena Melbourne 11, presented by Mortal Kombat™ 11, will welcome spectators, new players and pro players alike on May 17-19, 2019 at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The show floor will feature a dedicated Mortal Kombat™ 11 space where players will compete for the title of first MK11 national champion.
Register for the BAM 11 Mortal Kombat™ 11 tournament here: www.smash.gg/bam11
Entering the Realm: Community Launch tournaments in April
To kickstart the return of the famed series to Earthrealm, Mortal Kombat™ 11 will support four tournaments the week of launch packed with prizes. These events will be the first opportunity after the game releases for players to learn new tricks and show off their skills.
Melbourne, Saturday April 27 – CouchWarriors @ Bayview On The Park | Register | Facebook event
Brisbane, Sunday April 28 – CouchWarriors @ QUT Gardens Point Campus | Register | Facebook event
Mortal Kombat™ 11 is the latest instalment in the critically-acclaimed franchise, developed by award-winning NetherRealm Studios, and is scheduled for release beginning April 23 for PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, PlayStation®4 Pro computer entertainment system, the Xbox One family of devices including Xbox One X, Nintendo Switch™ system and PC.
The Couchwarriors team are excited to announce the full tournament lineup for Battle Arena Melbourne 11. The tournament structure is in four tiers – Platinum, Gold, Silver and Retro.
All Platinum and Gold have premium stage time, both winners will also get to take home the coveted BAM Trophy.
Silver Tournaments are community run tournaments where the winners are awarded the BAM medal.
Retro Tournaments are community run events run entirely for glory. Register Here!
Platinum+ Tournament
Mortal Kombat 11
Platinum Tournaments (Trophy, Stage Time) Tekken 7 Street Fighter V Super Smash Bros Ultimate Super Smash Bros Melee Dragonball FighterZ Gold Tournaments (Trophy) Dead or Alive 6 Guilty Gear Xrd Soul Calibur VI Super Smash Bros Project Melee
Silver Tournaments (Medal Prize). Million Arthur Arcana Blood The King of Fighters XIV Blazblue Central Fiction Ultra Street Fighter IV Virtua Fighter 5 Final Showdown UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH Exe:Late[st] Super Smash Bros. 64 Pokken Tournament DX Street Fighter 3: 3rd Strike Street Fighter Alpha 2 Skullgirls Blazblue Cross Tag Battle Street Fighter II Turbo (Not Pictured) Rivals of Aether (Not Pictured)
Retro Tournaments Akatsuki Blitzkampf Fate/Unlimited Codes Hokuto no Ken Guilty Gear XX Accent Core +R Vampire Saviors
BAM Path to EVO confirms finals format will bring four top players from around ANZ to BAM11. The ultimate winner goes on to EVO World Championships.
Today, we’re announcing the finals format for the live streamed esports circuit, BAM Path To EVO, and how players can represent their region in a fight to become the best in Australia and New Zealand. Competitors in Street Fighter V, Tekken 7, and Super Smash Bros Ultimate can journey from local heroes to recognition at BAM as the best player in ANZ. Then, each champion will represent the ANZ region at EVO, the world’s biggest fighting game tournament.
Earning points at each event in BAM Path To EVO will count towards gaining top spot in each region by end of April. We’ll be bring players across the fighting game community together, from Victoria, NSW, Queensland, and New Zealand.
Just join the events and you’ll be ranked. VIC and QLD events are run by CouchWarriors, NSW events will be run by Ozhadou and NZ by Standing Fierce.
Bonus online tournaments also add to your points.
Each region’s #1 seed will receive flights and an invitation to play off at BAM11, on May 17-19, 2019, at the Melbourne Convention Centre.
At BAM11, there will be a Qualifying bracket to seed the four regions and a fifth player from a Last Chance Online Qualifier. These 5 will play for position on BAM Friday. Then, the top 3 seeds from this qualifier will go into a 4 player Championship bracket on BAM Sunday. Retaining the prestige of a top placing in the main BAM tournament itself, the highest ranked player from the BAM11 tournament will take top seed, completing the Championship bracket. This special finals will play out to find the best player in ANZ.
That player will once again travel to Las Vegas, USA, to participate in the EVO World Championships!
