The rumours were true. IEM Melbourne is real.
For the last few years, IEM has been held at Sydney’s Olympic Park. It’s the Aussie leg of the world’s biggest Counter-Strike: Global Offensive tournament. IEM Sydney drew sellout crowds and became known for its electric, competitive atmosphere.
In August, IEM becomes the headline event at the Melbourne Esports Open, boasting a US$250,000 prize pool. It is the Australian Masters Stop on the ESL Pro Tour. This is big step for MEO, the first time the event has hosted a major global competition. IEM Melbourne takes over Rod Laver Arena. MEO will continue to operate within Margaret Court Arena and the wider Tennis HQ centre.
Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula said that Melbourne was the esports and digital games capital of Australia. “We host major events of all shapes and colours in Victoria and it’s fantastic that we can be a leader in esports,” Mr Pakula said. “More than half of Australia’s digital games companies are based here, so the local jobs story is just as compelling as the on-screen action.”
IEM Melbourne arena tickets will be $69 for a single day pass, $139 for a weekend pass, $229 for a Weekend Premium Ticket and $999 for a Global Elite Ticket. All IEM Melbourne tickets include ground pass access to the Melbourne Esports Open 2020.
MEO tickets will be $25 for a single day pass, or $39 for a weekend pass. If you have an MEO ticket, you will be able to head over to Rod Laver Arena for IEM Melbourne but admittance will be on a first-come, first-served basis so get there early or you might miss out.
Tickets go on sale Friday, February 14 at 10am AEDT via Ticketek.
