You know the meme: esports is doing really well and garnering all the headlines and fandom. Board games, old as time, sees this and says "hold my beer".

Ahem.

So anywhoo, in case you missed it the CATAN National Championships is a thing and they actually kicked off recently in South Australia, with more to happen around the country until the Nationals are held in Canberra in August.

The top four from the National Championship (of 64 combatants) will then go on to represent Australia in World Championships.

Here's the breakdown:

Full schedule below with links to register (both the NSW and QLD Championships are selling fast!):

SA State Championship
• Heats from 7 to 28 May on Wednesday and Thursday nights from 5pm ACST
  
• Finals on 4 June, time TBC
  
• Venue: The Lost Dice
  
• Admission: $8.50
• QLD State Championships (21 May. 10AM AEST)
  • Venue: Geebung RSL
    
  • Admission: TBC
• NSW State Championships (28 May, 10:15AM AEST)
  • Venue: Behold Games
    
  • Admission: $10
• VIC State Championships (4 June, 4PM to 9PM AEST)
  • Venue: Fortress Melbourne
    
  • Admission: $21.53
    
  • Watch at https://www.twitch.tv/fortressmelb or head to Fortress for free spectator entry
• Australia CATAN National Championships (6 August, 10AM to 10PM AEST)
  • Venue: Eastlake Football Club
    
  • Admission: $43.29

Players don’t have to qualify at State Championships to enter the National Championships.

State Championship prizes are below:

1. Winner: $1,000 travel expenses and free entry to the CATAN National Championship in Canberra, plus a seat at the Nationals Top 16
2. Second place (CATAN bundle valued at $199.80):
a. The Rivals for CATAN (SRP: $44.95)
b. Logiquest CATAN Logic Puzzle (SRP: $39.95)
c. CATAN Accessories Red Dice Hexatower (SRP: $34.95)
d. CATAN Accessories Trading Post (SRP: $79.95)
3. Third place (CATAN Bundle valued at $94.85):
a. CATAN Cities & Knights 5-6 Player Extension (SRP: $44.95)
b. CATAN Cities & Knights Expansion Card Deck 5th Edition (SRP: $19.95)
c. CATANimals Plushy (assorted variety) (SRP: $29.95)
4. Door prizes: 3 x CATANimals Plushies (assorted variety) (SRP: $29.95)

Believe it or not, this event has been running since 1995, starting first in Germany before eventually going global, definitely giving it an "OG" moniker worthy of some respect.

All the links above will give you the info you need for your state should you want to include yourself in this tournament, or just so you can watch and set alarms.