It’s finally here! The Nebraska eSports Association (NeSPA) is very pleased to announce our second LAN-format Starcraft 2 open tournament, to be held in Lincoln, Nebraska on April 21, 2012.  The event will take place on the University of Nebraska – Lincoln campus in the Nebraska Union starting at 10:00 AM until 11:00 PM, CDT.  Players will first play in 4-6 rounds of Best-of-Three (Bo3) group play to determine bracket seedings, which will be played online before the live event. The live event will consist of double-elimination Bo3 format until the Upper and Lower Bracket Finals and Grand Finals, all to be Bo5. The current prize pool is set at $300 (subject to increase), with registration only $12. Travel stipends are available for groups of 4 registrants or more. The event will be cast and live-streamed via TwitchTV. Read on below for more details.

When and Where?

Online group play to determine bracket seeding will take place online via Battle.Net on the dates April 18-19, starting at 6:00 PM CDT.

The live, LAN-format double-elimination event will be held April 21, 2012.  Players are required to check-in between 10:00 and 10:15 AM, and bracket play will begin shortly thereafter.  The event will take place in The Crib of the Nebraska Union, on the University of Nebraska – Lincoln city campus.

How do I register?

Registration is $12 for entry into the tournament and closes April 16th, 2012 at midnight. There is no cost to come an participate as a spectator. Register online via the link below.

We are also pleased to offer our traditional registration referral program.  For every friend that you refer who registers for the event, you will receive a $4 rebate on your registration to the event.  There is no limit to the number of friends you can refer to the tournament and rebates you can receive; you can actually make money on this offer.   All your friends have to do is provide your name when registering for the event.

Registration Closed!

What are the prizes?

First Place – $150
Second Place – $100
Third Place – $50

This figures are based of an estimated 32 participants and are subject to increase contingent upon registration numbers and sponsorships.

What is the tournament format?

Players will compete in Swiss-style group play for 6 rounds, between the dates April 18-19, 2012, between 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM CDT. These rounds will be played online over Battle.Net. The results of these rounds will determine bracket seeding for the LAN-format event on the 21st. Seeding for the swiss rounds will be based on BNET ladder ranking.

Double-elimination bracket play will begin at 10:20 AM CDT on April 21st in LAN-format. Each round will consist of Bo3 format, with the loser of each game choosing the map for the following game. The upper and lower bracket finals, as well as the grand finals will be Bo5 format. The upper and lower bracket finals, as well as the grand finals will be Bo5 format. If a second series in necessary for the grand finals, the series will be extended to a Bo9 following the MLG rule.

What is the map pool?

Daybreak LE
Cloud Kingdom LE
MLG Shakuras Plateau
MLG Antiga Shipyard
Tal’Darim Altar LE
Korhal Compoud LE
GSL Crevasse
Metropolis LE
Ohana LE

For the first map of each series, players will alternatively veto maps from the pool, beginning with the lower seeded player, until only one remains.

What do I need to bring?

Participants are required to bring their own computers to play on.  NeSPA will provide network switches and ethernet cables, but anyone who wishes to compete will be required to bring their own computer, display, keyboard, and mouse.

Is there assistance for groups traveling to compete?

Yes! In the spirit of growing eSports in the midwest we would like to help everyone be able to attend the event who would like to compete. If you have a group of 5 or more competitors that will be travelling over 3 hours to attend the event, let us know and we can work something out to help you come out and compete.  Send an email to nebraska.esports@gmail.com and we will make arrangements.

•