Electronic Sports, better known as eports, is a term that is growing with increasing popularity in South Africa and around the world. Although Super Sport and a host of other channels have started airing video game matches, and many local events have started to build more interest in local esports, many people are still left wondering about what exactly it is all about. This is where Rush Esports 2018 comes in to play (literally and figuratively).
The inaugural Rush event took place in July 2017, and proved that esports is alive and thriving in South Africa. Designed by the same people behind rAge (really Awesome gaming expo), it is an event that caters to gamers who would like to learn more about esports, and perhaps even become more involved in the burgeoning esports scene. From meeting and talking to pro players, to watching South Africa’s top teams compete, and maybe even entering a few competitions to win some prizes; Rush is an event you definitely should consider attending.
Rush Esports 2018 is taking place between 29 June and 1 July at the Sun Arena at Time Square in Pretoria, and will feature a variety of competitive esports tournaments; each of which will be hosted by leading local organisations across dedicated esports stages. Each of the events will also feature live shoutcasting (commentary) by some of South Africa’s top shoutcasters, and it will allow fans to watch some of South Africa’s best competitive gamers and clans compete live for the honour of taking home first place!
In addition to a variety of competitive events, Vodacom 4 U has now come on board as a sponsor for the event. As such, the mobile operator will sponsor three of the major tournaments for Rush Esports 2018. The three tournaments in question are:
- Fortnite: 1 vs. 1 on mobile
- FIFA 18: 1 vs. 1 on PS4
- CS:GO: 5 vs. 5 on PC
Registrations for these tournaments (full breakdown of the tournaments at Rush Esports 2018 available below) will open on Friday 1 June 2018 and may be filled in directly on www.rushesports.co.za. Entrance to any of the tournaments is free for competitors, although spectators supporting the players will be required to pay an entrance fee.
Last year, Lauren Das Neves, the marketing manager for Rush, NAG and rAge, was confident that Rush would become “a great platform for us to build, empower and connect with new and existing esports communities”. Given the addition of a new sponsorship partner, and a move to an even bigger and better venue for 2018, it is safe to say that Rush Esports 2018 is definitely headed in the right direction.
Whether you are a professional esports player or simply someone who wants to have fun and see how good you are, or maybe even just a parent looking to find out more about this ‘esports fad’, Rush Esports 2018 will have something for you.
RUSH ESPORTS 2018 EVENT DETAILS:
When is Rush 2018?
29 June – 1 July 2018
Friday: 10am-7pm | Saturday: 9am-7pm | Sunday: 9am-4pm
Where is Rush 2018?
Sun Arena, Time Square, Pretoria
How do I buy tickets to Rush 2018?
Tickets to Rush will be on sale from Friday 1 June 2018 at all Computicket outlets countrywide and online. Tickets will also be on sale at the door.
Day Pass (valid for entry for one day only): R60
Weekend Pass (valid for entry for all three days): R100
How do I stay connected?
To stay up to date with all the Rush announcements and additional info, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, subscribe to our YouTube channel NAG or go to www.rushesports.co.za.
What is the event/tournament lineup for Rush 2018?
Vodacom 4U CS:GO Cup
Platform: PC
Players: 16 Teams
Format: 5 vs. 5
Prizes: 1st place: R25,000 (cash) + 5 x Huawei P20 Pro + 5 x Vodacom data bundles | 2nd place: R12,500 (cash) + 5 x Huawei Y7 + 5 x Vodacom data bundles | 3rd place: R5,000 + 5 x Huawei B618 routers + 5 x Vodacom data bundles
Vodacom 4U FIFA 18 Cup
Platform: PS4
Players: 320
Format: 1 vs. 1
Prizes: 1st place: R7,500 (cash) + Huawei P20 Pro + Vodacom data bundle | 2nd place: R3,000 (cash) + Huawei Y7 + Vodacom data bundle | 3rd place: R2,000 (cash) + Huawei B618 router + Vodacom data bundle | 4th place: R1,000 (cash)
Vodacom 4U Fortnite Cup
Platform: Mobile
Players: 64
Format: 1 vs. 1
Prizes: 1st place: R2,000 (cash) + Huawei P20 Pro + Vodacom data bundle + SteelSeries Nimbus Wireless Controller | 2nd place: R1,000 (cash) + Huawei Y7 + Vodacom data bundle | 3rd place: R500 (cash) + Huawei B618 router + Vodacom data bundle
MSI Quake Champions Cup
Platform: PC
Players: 32
Format: 1 vs. 1
Prizes: 1st place: MSI gaming notebook with i7 and GTX 1060 | 2nd place: MSI GK70 mechanical gaming keyboard
MSI Shenron Cup – Dragon Ball FighterZ
Platform: PC
Players: 32
Format: 1 vs. 1
Prizes: 1st place: MSI GeForce GTX 1080 graphics card | 2nd place: MSI Force GC30 Wireless Gaming Controller
Eurasian Entertainment Metal Slug Cup
Platform: Arcade
Players: 64
Format: Highest score wins (minimum score of 10,000) Prizes: 1st place: Wireless Arcade Console
NiBBLE Esports Hearthstone Tavern Brawl Cup
Platform: Mobile
Players: 32
Format: 1 vs. 1
Prizes: 1st place – Razer Hammerhead BT Headset + Razer Cynosa Chroma Keyboard | 2nd place – Razer Hammerhead pro I near Headset V2 + Razer Cynosa Chroma Keyboard | 3rd place – Razer Cynosa Chroma Keyboard
NiBBLE Esports Vainglory Rush Cup
Platform: Mobile
Players: 32
Format: 3 vs. 3
Prizes: 1st place – 4500 ICE | 2nd place – 3000 ICE | 3rd place – 1500 ICE
ARK Gaming Gran Turismo Turbo Challenge
Platform: PS4
Players: 32
Format: 1 vs. 1
Prizes: 1st place – 32″ inch HD TV + 1 day pass for two pax to the ARK Gaming Lounge | 2nd place – Bluetooth Speaker + 1 day pass for two pax to the ARK Gaming Lounge
ARK Gaming Raging Uppercut Tekken 7
Platform: PS4
Players: 32
Format: 1 vs. 1
Prizes: 1st place – Plantronics 500HD Headphones + 1 day pass for two pax to the Ark Gaming Lounge | 2nd place – Bluetooth Speaker + 1 day pass for two pax to the Ark Gaming Lounge
ARK Gaming Raging Uppercut Streetfighter V
Platform: PS4
Players: 32
Format: 1 vs. 1
Prizes: 1st place – Plantronics 500HD Headphones + 1 day pass for two pax to the Ark Gaming Lounge | 2nd place – Bluetooth Speaker + 1 day pass for two pax to the Ark Gaming Lounge
Cooler Master Mod Squad
Contestants: 10 | Details
Lobbsta DOTA 2 All-Star Match
Contestants: 10 | Details
Owner, founder and editor-in-chief at Vamers, Hans has a vested interest in geek culture and the interactive entertainment industry. With a Masters degree in Communications and Ludology, he is well read and versed in matters relating to video games and communication media, among many other topics of interest.