Phenomenal eSports Events Still on Tap for 2017

There’s no question that 2017 is shaping up to be the biggest year yet for eSports. As viewership from all corners of the globe soars past 230 million people, the business of eSports is booming, raking in over $500 million last year. Although the gameplay is virtual, and the athletes may not take to a field, eSports events and competitions are met with all the fervour of a Champions League football match.

Here’s a look at a few of the most anticipated eSports events rounding out 2017.

ESL One Cologne 2017 – The world’s largest CS:GO tournament takes over the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany from July 7th through July 9th. Over 14,000 fans will be in attendance to cheer on the nail-biting action as top teams vie for a hand in the $1 million prize pool. Ticket packages are available for all budgets, from the basic three day pass for €49,90 to the Global Elite Experience, a €2999 package for five people featuring VIP immersion with private lounge access and tonnes of cool swag.  Live streaming will be available on twitch.tv

The International 2 – This premier Dota 2 event will take place for the fourth year in a row at the Key Arena in Seattle, Washington from August 7th through August 12th. Elite Dota teams from around the world will square off in hopes of winning the coveted Aegis of Champions trophy. With an eSports record-setting total prize pool of nearly $22 million awarded in 2016, this year’s tournament is sure to offer huge payouts to the highest placing teams. Spectator ticket packages available from Ticketmaster range from four-day passes to the start of the week and two-day passes for the finals. Live streaming will be available on twitch.tv

2017 League of Legends World Championship- China plays host to the marquee LoL series this year each round of the tournament held across four impressive venues. The Wuhan Sports Center Gymnasium has the Play-In & Group Stage, the Guangzhou Gymnasium is the place to catch the quarterfinals, and Shanghai Oriental Sports Center will hold the semifinals.

The Championship culminates with the finals at the 80,000 person capacity Beijing National Stadium. The tournament takes place from September 23rd to November 4th, giving fans well over a month of fantastic eSports action. A total prize pool of over $2.1 million will be offered in addition to fan contributions. Live streaming will be available on twitch.tv

BlizzCon 2017 – Game producer Blizzard Entertainment packs the convention with competitions of its greatest titles including Hearthstone, Starcraft II, Heroes of the Storm, and, of course, World of Warcraft. This eleventh instalment of the annual event occurs on November 3rd and November 4th at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. In-person tickets to BlizzCon are already sold out, but Blizzard promises to offer virtual tickets soon with a package that will provide fans at home all the thrills of actually being there.

DreamHack Summer  – This worldwide events series stages one of its biggest tournaments of the year with DreamHack Summer taking place from June 17th to June 20th at Elmia Fair in Jönköping, Sweden. Gamers will battle it out in SCII and HotS competitions with a $500,000 prize pool on the line. Ticket packages to DreamHack Summer can be purchased from 200 SEK to 2200 SEK. Live streaming will be available on twitch.tv