Japanese Super Smash Bros master Masaya “aMSa” Chikamoto is widely considered to be the best Melee Yoshi player in the world, and he recently moved to Vancouver.
Why would an esports champion choose to settle here?
Perhaps because for the last four years, we have played host to Western Canada’s largest Super Smash Bros tournament and, this year, it's getting even bigger.
Battle of BC 5 will take place over the May long weekend (May 19 to 21) at the Vancouver Convention Centre, having graduated from its previous venue on the UBC campus and the best Smash Bros Melee players in the world have reportedly confirmed their attendance, including Chikamoto.
Competitors will be flying in from Mexico, Japan, plus countries in Europe and South America.
“Our event has scaled tremendously each iteration,” says Kevin Dhir, head organizer of Battle of BC in a press release. “We’re carrying on full-steam ahead. We are ambitious and working hard, and it’s an honour to be able to welcome the international Smash community to my home."
"The impact of our event is far more than just playing games," he says, "It's connecting with a community of friends over a shared passion.”
The tournament, hosted by Vancouver-based esports company Galint Gaming Inc., consists of 1,000 matches with singles and team brackets, live shows featuring esports personalities, and a boat cruise after-party.
Hundreds of thousands of live viewers are expected to tune into the event’s global broadcast and two thousand people will be in physical attendance.
Tickets are on sale now for both spectators and competitors, register here.
Battle of BC 5
When: May 19-21, 2023
Where: Vancouver Convention Centre East
Cost: Spectator tickets start at $55, and competitor tickets now start at $95.
