Okay, so not having any idea what a ZOWIE eXTREMESLAND might be, what is clear is that BenQ is extending its popular Asian CS: Go tournament to include Australia and New Zealand! Also, as an open qualifier, any player from the Oceanic region will be eligible to compete for their chance to take part in the BenQ ZOWIE eXTREMESLAND event in Shanghai, China where 16 teams from 14 regions will compete for their share of the $100,000 USD.

“The success of the BenQ ZOWIE eXTREMESLAND tournament in Shanghai has enabled us to expand in 2017 with an open qualifier for Australia and New Zealand in partnership with ESL Australia. ESL have shown great passion and professionalism as the leading eSports tournament organisers, and with our mutual dedication to eSports we look forward to providing players with the opportunity to represent our region on the global stage.” – Martin Moelle (Managing Director, BenQ Australia)

As for how it will play out, the ANZ Qualifier will be divided into three stages. Two online stages, that will take place on the weekends of Saturday July 22 and Sunday August 6. Plus, an online stage of the tournament that will be open -- in order to provide opportunities for newer and lesser known teams.

“Over the years as Counter-Strike has progressed in Australia and New Zealand, our local teams have further sought out the opportunity to compete on both the local and international levels in the LAN environment. BenQ ZOWIE have been able to create such a program where teams from our region will have the best possible opportunities to not only compete internationally, but be successful as well.” - Nick Vanzetti (Managing Director, ESL Australia)

From there the Offline Stage of the ANZ Qualifier will take place at ESL Studios, Sydney on September 9. Which is where Chiefs Esports Club and Grayhound Gaming will face off against the two teams that successfully advance to this stage.

For more info and registration details head to the official site!