This weekend, BAM (Battle Arena Melbourne), Australia’s national fighting game community (FGC) Championship, is celebrating its 15th anniversary. BAM is continuing as home grown and grass roots while simultaneously a global event, providing players the opportunity to play with the best in the world.

• When: May 30, 31 and June 1,, 2025
• Where: Moonee Valley Racecourse, Feehan Ave Moonee Ponds, Melbourne
• More info www.battlearenamelbourne.com.au

BAM will host nearly dozens of events across the eclectic fighting game scene, from top class competitive esports tournaments, a global event in the eyes of the world, while still providing a spirited and friendly atmosphere with community driven casual gaming, artist displays, and freeplay for fun.

The major tournaments for TEKKEN 8, STREET FIGHTER 6, and FATAL FURY: CITY OF THE WOLVES are tying into world tour qualifiers which has brought incredible international talent to Australia. Approximately 140 players from across the globe including multiple world champions, are coming to BAM15.

• TEKKEN World Tour Master Event with international ladder points and $6,000 prize bonus
• ARC World Tour Gold+ Event for Guilty Gear Strive and Granblue Fantasy VS Rising, with international ladder points
• SNK World Championship: Winner of Fatal Fury City of the Wolves qualifies directly to Worlds.
• Esports World Cup Qualifiers – direct qualification to a $1 million USD tournament this year each, for Street Fighter 6 (1 spot), TEKKEN 8 (4 spots), and Fatal Fury City of the Wolves (2 spots)
• Major tournaments for Super Smash Bros Ultimate, MORTAL KOMBAT 1, and 30 more.

The impact of world tour engagement makes BAM one of the only Australian events directly connecting to international leagues. Not only does this provide a wonderful opportunity for our local players to experience high level play, but visiting players love the friendly atmosphere as the community embraces the chance to connect and play together. For a taste of this year’s incoming talent, see:

 TEKKEN 8 | Street Fighter 6 | Fatal Fury COTW | Guilty Gear Strive & Granblue Fantasy VS Rising

BAM has kickstarted incredible local successes. Last year, young Australian TEKKEN prodigy, Ben “Yagami” Ngim qualified for EWC out of BAM and it changed his life, setting up an incredible journey as a professional player and hero in not just the Australian, but global TEKKEN scene. It led to this unforgettable moment at the World Finals – WATCH HERE.  Not only that, but South Korea’s Ulsan, an adopted Australian at this point, as a previous winner of BAM 2019, qualified for the World Cup and won the whole thing last year thanks to BAM entry.

Alongside, local Aussie commentators Yuven “BrownmanFGC” Vincent, and Alex “Chipzeeh” Smith are making their mark, returning as part of the official TWT2025 commentary team for BAM

More fun at BAM

• Spectator passes available all weekend – see the action in person + activity with prizes
• Beyblade X Championships (below)
• Artist Alley
• Cosplay 
• Casual freeplay gaming zones
• Gaming accessory vendors, Food Trucks on site, and more

Beyblade X – The connection between FGC and Beyblade grows at BAM15 as approx 100 competitors of all ages are playing in the Hasbro Regional Qualifier for Victoria this weekend, with flights and accommodation provided to go to the Sydney Nationals later in June. More information

Watch Live: The event will be live streamed on CouchWarriors, CouchWarriorsSmash, the official Tekken World Tour channel and multiple community channels (Schedule is found on the registration page)

For more information on BAM and Registration www.battlearenamelbourne.com.au