Australian fighting game event runners and community. Hosts of BAM: Battle Arena Melbourne, Australia's largest fighting game/open entry esports event.
CouchWarriors League returns for 2021, and as we steadily see restrictions pulled back, we are returning with live, offline events for the community!
Online and Offline
Online – This year we are once again running Online tournaments with feature games Street Fighter V, Tekken 7, Smash Bros Ultimate, Smash Bros Melee, and now – Dragonball FighterZ!
Offline – In addition, look forward to LIVE offline ranking battles every month in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide. Ranking battle events are the best place to learn, level up, just enjoy casuals and of course, to show your skills!
Prizes and rewards
We will have more to announce, similar to last year expect prizes for top of table placers, and pot bonuses for special events.
Points system
The points system remains the same, however post COVID with more live events, remember that offline events count for more points, and Majors count for double that!
This year we’re also including rankings for additional games often played at Ranking Battle live events (See ALL games sectoin). Track your progress and compare to your rivals including interstate using the CouchWarriors League website
Cospendium is a brand new event on the pop culture calendar, which is developing a new approach to convetions and will be including gaming in a big way!
As a major part of the event, Cospendium and CouchWarriors have joined forces, and with their fantastic support, we’ll be able to bring you an amazing Gaming Zone at Cospendium featuring our core Fighting Game Tournaments, PC Freeplay, Console Freeplay, Indie Games, Gaming Exhibitors, and much more to be announced. The gaming zone will be amazing for new fans and old, whether learning to play, showing your skills, or checking out cool new games.
As part of today’s first announcement we’ll reveal the first tournament titles which will each have a $1,000 prize pool!
Tournament Games with 1,000 Prize Pool
Street Fighter V
Super Smash Bros Ultimate
Dragon Ball FighterZ
Tekken 7
Thanks to the amazing support from Cospendium, who are creating something special with this new convention, the same will be true of the CouchWarriors Gaming Zone. The tournaments hosted here will be consequential, supported with great prizes and an amazing, big screen spectator experience.
Tournament info
Here are the first round of CouchWarriors Gaming Zone Tournaments at Cospendium!
Each tournament will feature $1,000 cash prize pool, and will be open to everyone with a Cospendium ticket.
You will be able to preregister online and, if spaces are available, on the day for each tournament. Major tournaments will be run with a feature stage, and live stream to capture those clutch moments.
National Fighting Game Esports League launched. Season one brings state champions together at BAM, Australia’s international finals
Australian esports events organisation, CouchWarriors, today announces a national points based league for fighting game tournaments. CouchWarriors League (CWL) is tying together monthly Ranking Battle tournaments across four states, with a special reward for top point scorers in each one of four feature titles. The state champions will be rewarded with a paid flight and entry to BAM, Australia’s international fighting game major.
The League Season tracks how players fare across “Ranbat” events in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. The monthly events are each the focal point for the local community and a step into the esports tournament scene. The success of CouchWarriors local ranking battle events has seen an average of 150 attendees at each city’s gatherings every month
Visit the CouchWarriors League site to follow the latest rankings!
The feature titles awarding travel in the first season of CWL are Street Fighter V, Tekken 7, Super Smash Bros Ultimate, and Super Smash Bros Melee. Regular online events will also give players across the country the opportunity to edge ahead on points.
We support a big range of tournament titles, which will also have results tracked, so you can see how you compare with your fellow players.
Every month as events conclude you can follow the player rankings on a central points ladder. The ladder can be found at CouchWarriorsLeague.com.au
Each event is live streamed and featured in Twitch.TV front page promotion in ANZ.
Date: 17th of November 2019. Time: 11am (booking to 5pm) Venue: Level 11, 179 Queen St Melbourne. (
It’s time for the CouchWarriors Annual General Meeting!
Another successful year behind us, we have a lot to talk about and a lot to be excited for.
CouchWarriors Mission Statement:
CouchWarriors is a non-for-profit association that was created in 2006 to help grow the Fighting Game Community. We aim to do this by providing services and events for the community such as: creating welcoming spaces for new and veteran players to learn and play, running monthly ranking tournaments, hosting our national-level tournament Battle Arena Melbourne (BAM), and providing support and resources for companion events in the community.
Annual General Meeting:
Our AGM is open to the public, if you feel like you would like to be a part of CouchWarriors and to help out with tournaments and building up the fighting game community in Melbourne, please feel free to come along. Our scene is built on the passion and dedication of volunteers and organisers.
Nominations:
2020 Officer roles and positions of the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer will be determined at this event via the nominations of the CouchWarriors Committee. The first round will be recieved via nomination. Nominees can make themselves known by emailing us at [email protected].
Only CouchWarriors Committee Members can cast votes, be nominated and elected.
At the AGM we will discuss an agenda of the following:
– Review of majors including BAM, Ranking Battles and Conventions,
– Financial review,
– Review & clarification of our mission statement.
– Report from each interstate team
– Our direction and strategy moving forward
– Review of event and management structure
– Look ahead to 2020
– Questions/Roundtable
The secretary will add a detailed agenda based on last year’s AGM agenda soon.
CouchWarriors Expands Further Nationally with South Australia and New South Wales
After successful growth from Victoria into Queensland, Fighting Game Esports Events organisation brings in Adelaide and Sydney organisers under the CouchWarriors umbrella.
CouchWarriors has announced today it is broadening its brand to support esports events in the fighting game and Smash Bros communities of Adelaide and Smash Bros community in Sydney.
The request from these scenes to join the banner comes after a successful expansion into Brisbane last year, which saw events grow to an average of 160 attendees each month, and launch a successful national major, Sunny Side Up, with over 450 attendees.
Alongside, events in CouchWarriors home base in Melbourne also saw a big growth for the FGC. Over 1,500 unique competitors attended the national major, BAM (Battle Arena Melbourne) in May, and players across ANZ are participating in the BAM Path To EVO league, in which CouchWarriors sponsored three players to the largest worldwide tournament, EVO in Las Vegas.
Altogether, the Fighting Game esports scene is strong and healthy.
Now, Adelaide FGC and Smash, and Sydney Smash organisers will be working under the CouchWarriors banner to bring the winning formula to monthly events and add to the nationwide circuit of events.
Regular CouchWarriors events in Adelaide and Sydney will start with:
CouchWarriors SA “Cheese League” Monthly Ranking Battle
These events join BAM, Sunny Side Up and the FGC end of year event, CouchWarriors Crossup, which will be on December 14 at Bayview on the Park. Details here.
You can find all the events listed regularly on the CouchWarriors Facebook events page here, and announced on the Couchwarriors website.
Look for announcements on how these events and more fit in to the 2020 season of #BAMPathToEVO www.bampathtoevo.com.au
About CouchWarriors
CouchWarriors, established 2006, is an expert in gaming tournaments and esports events. A 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 professional tournaments at the national level. Both beginner to expert players have room with our inclusive approach, from an experienced tournament team.
CouchWarriors also offers commercial events services from tournament organisation and administration, live streaming, event management and staffing.
We’re returning to Melbourne Esports Open to bring fighting games to #MEO2019! Catch all the action on the CouchWarriors Fighting Game Stage as part of this major esports festival! MEO is coming up on August 31 to September 1
Five fighting games. $1,000 Base Prize Pool Each.
Compete in Street Fighter V, Dragon Ball FighterZ, Tekken 7, Super Smash Bros Ultimate and Super Smash Bros Melee. Melee has an extra $500 thanks to Melbourne Melee, and Dragon Ball has something extra special!
Dragon Ball FighterZ World Tour
We’re bringing DBFZ World Tour to the MEO arena! Take part in this Tenkaichi event, claim a share in an added $1,000 cash prize pool and earn points on the world leaderboard. More info on DBFZ World Tour: https://dbfzworldtour.com/
When: August 31 to September 1. Rego by 10am, Tournaments start 11am
With your tickets for event entry, registration for the fighting games are free. Each game is double elimination, entry is open to all comers and skill levels. Compete to show you’re the best, or improve your skills!
SCHEDULE FOR FIGHTING GAMES AT MEO
Saturday
Tekken, Street Fighter V and Dragon Ball FighterZ
Doors Open for registration:Check in at the MEO registration desk between 9am and 10am on the day to confirm your spot in the bracket.
All tournaments will start at 11am. All games are double elimination.
The biggest fighting game tournament in the world is this weekend! EVO 2019 in Las Vegas will draw players from across the globe, including players from Australia and New Zealand. Read on to follow who will be going and the event schedule.
Proudly sponsored by CouchWarriors’ BAM Path To EVO program, three players achieved ANZ champion status at BAM11 this year. As a result their flights and accommodation is taken care of and they have arrived to make their mark at EVO!
Super Smash Bros Smash Ultimate Winner: Bradley Defective Dagger Kun
Defective Dagger defeated previous Smash Ultimate champion Extra, a changing of the guard moment
Travis is a top SFV player but couldn’t attend the eastern states events to earn points. He claimed his spot as the top player in the main BAM tournament itself and won through.
There are many more great ANZ players at EVO so keep an eye on the CouchWarriors and FGC twitter accounts, we’ll be sharing their posts as we see them!
EVO Schedule in AEST
The official EVO schedule image has been updated by our own Dragon Ball FighterZ and Samurai Shodown TO, Aura, for your viewing convenience!
This special Ranking Series ties across the community monthly RanBat tournaments across Australia and New Zealand, and in regular online events. Gathering these points lets us find the top players across the region, award prize, and provide a free trip to CouchWarriors Crossup at end of year.
Every month as events conclude you can follow the player rankings on a central points ladder. The ladder can be found at BamPathtoEvo.com.au
Each event is live streamed and featured in Twitch.TV front page promotion in ANZ.
Now, as BAM11 has wrapped, we’re resetting the points, adding a NEW game in MK11, and kicking off a new season!
Season 2 Changes
BAM Path To EVO Season 2 will use the same points system, with a twist for upcoming majors, and provide players a set of goals for the second half of 2019. This Season will lead into our end of year finals event, CouchWarriors Crossup (CWC).
CWC in turn will be the curtain raiser for the next phase, leading to BAM and EVO in 2020.
In a nutshell:
Season Dates – June to November, 2019
Games:
Mortal Kombat 11 (NEW)
Street Fighter V
Tekken 7
Super Smash Bros Ultimate
Double Points at Majors – BPTE Points will apply to the following interstate Majors with DOUBLE points. Support your regional major!
Sunny Side Up (Brisbane, August 10-11) Register Now
Ozhadou Nationals (Sydney, September 20-22)
Southern Crossup (Auckland NZ, October 5-6)
Top points per game get travel & entry to CouchWarriors Crossup
We’ll reimburse your flight if coming interstate and provide free venue
Prizes!
Tournament prizes and Subscriber rewards are to be announced.
Channels To Follow Subscribe – Sub to any below to CrowdFund more ANZ Player Travel!
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
