Canadian stars among world's best e-sports professionals, to compete over Labour Day weekend

TORONTO, Aug. 29, 2014 /CNW/ - Intel® Extreme Masters, the elite pro gaming tour, is returning to Canada this weekend for the first time in five years. Toronto's FAN EXPO Canada™ will play host to the intense tournament, attracting StarCraft® II enthusiasts to watch some of the world's best gamers compete live.

This marks the third Canadian stop in the competition's nine-year run and first time in Toronto.  Fans will have a chance to watch a star studded line-up, including Canadian challengers, Scarlett and HuK, faceoff for $25,000 in prize money and a spot in the Intel Extreme Masters World Championship in 2015.

ESL, the worldwide leader in eSports, will host multiple competitions at this year's FAN EXPO Canada™ taking place from August 28-31 at Metro Toronto Convention Center, as part of its ever-expanding premier product, Intel Extreme Masters.

"We're excited to provide these eSport superstars with the absolute latest and greatest in PC gaming technology," said George Woo, event and sponsorship programs marketing manager at Intel. "Hosting IEM at FAN EXPO Canada provides an opportunity for gamers and fans alike to experience the excitement of competitive gaming first hand."

Extended online qualifications for the event are underway with players from all around the world set to compete in the North American showdown. Be sure to start watching the action at http://en.esl.tv/channel/esltv-sc2/.

Visit Intel® Extreme Masters at the Intel Booth, number 4413 in the North Building, for the opportunity to enjoy free game play, enter daily contests for the chance to win cool prizes and:

• Compete for best times with your friends on super-realistic Intel-powered racing simulators
• Play on Intel's latest gaming PCs with titles including StarCraft II and League of Legends
• Test the latest and greatest Intel-powered computers for Back-to-School
• Get your photo taken with the official IEM trophy
• Meet and greet with pro gamers

What: The Intel Extreme Masters Event

When: Thursday, August 28 - Sunday, August 31, 2014

Where: Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building, Booth Number 4413

Who: George Woo, Intel, Michal Blicharz, Electronic Sports League, Several professional PC gamers

###

Intel® Extreme Masters - Intel® Extreme Masters is the ESL's elite global pro gaming tour since 2006 with over 4 million USD given out in prize money in eight seasons. StarCraft® II and League of Legends® superstars from Europe, Asia and America compete at the world's largest technological trade shows for their share of a lucrative prize purse. ESL TV, ESL's web-TV service, presents the best games of the season live and reports directly from the offline events via Twitch TV, reaching over 20 million unique viewers each season. www.intelextrememasters.com

Intel® Corporation - Intel (NASDAQ: INTC) is a world leader in computing innovation. The company designs and builds the essential technologies that serve as the foundation for the world's computing devices. www.intel.com

ESL - is world's largest, independent eSports brand, leading the industry across various games with numerous online and offline competitions. This includes high profile international and national leagues and tournaments such as the Intel Extreme Masters, ESL One, ESL Pro Series, Starcraft II World Championship Series, Wargaming.net League Europe, as well as grassroots amateur cups, leagues and matchmaking systems. ESL covers a broad field of services in gaming technology, event management, advertising and TV production, fully catering to the needs of the eSport's ecosystem. With offices in Germany, Russia, Spain, France, Poland, Spain, China and the USA, it has a true global footprint. www.eslgaming.com

FAN EXPO Canada™ boasts the largest comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, and gaming event in Canada, the third largest in North America. It is packed with exciting family-friendly activities and celebrity guests. The pop culture extravaganza expects to host over 125,000 fans at 750,000 sq ft of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre for the four-day event August 28-31, 2014. www.fanexpocanada.com

FAN EXPO HQ is the largest entertainment convention group in the country and one of the largest in the world. Collectively it hosts almost 250,000 fans annually at FAN EXPO Canada™, FAN EXPO Vancouver™, FAN EXPO Regina™; Toronto ComiCon, Dallas Comic Con, and three Dallas shows.

SOURCE Intel

Video with caption: "Video: Intel Extreme Masters at Toronto's FAN EXPO Canada George Woo, Intel, Jeffrey Clack, Intel, Michal Blicharz, ESL.". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20140829_C8184_VIDEO_EN_42574.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20140829_C8184_PHOTO_EN_42574.jpg&clientName=Intel&caption=Video%3A%20Intel%20Extreme%20Masters%20at%20Toronto%27s%20FAN%20EXPO%20Canada%20George%20Woo%2C%20Intel%2C%20Jeffrey%20Clack%2C%20Intel%2C%20Michal%20Blicharz%2C%20ESL%2E&title=INTEL%20%2D%20Intel%26%23174%3B%20Extreme%20Masters%20visits%20Toronto%27s%20FAN%20EXPO%20Canada%26%23x2122%3B%20for%20first%20time&headline=Intel%26%23174%3B%20Extreme%20Masters%20visits%20Toronto%27s%20FAN%20EXPO%20Canada%26%23x2122%3B%20for%20first%20time

Video with caption: "B-Roll: Intel Extreme Masters at Toronto's FAN EXPO Canada George Woo, Intel, Jeffrey Clack, Intel, Michal Blicharz, ESL.". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20140829_C8184_VIDEO_EN_42575.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20140829_C8184_PHOTO_EN_42575.jpg&clientName=Intel&caption=B%2DRoll%3A%20Intel%20Extreme%20Masters%20at%20Toronto%27s%20FAN%20EXPO%20Canada%20George%20Woo%2C%20Intel%2C%20Jeffrey%20Clack%2C%20Intel%2C%20Michal%20Blicharz%2C%20ESL%2E&title=INTEL%20%2D%20Intel%26%23174%3B%20Extreme%20Masters%20visits%20Toronto%27s%20FAN%20EXPO%20Canada%26%23x2122%3B%20for%20first%20time&headline=Intel%26%23174%3B%20Extreme%20Masters%20visits%20Toronto%27s%20FAN%20EXPO%20Canada%26%23x2122%3B%20for%20first%20time

PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2014/08/29/20140829_C8184_DOC_EN_42573.pdf