Blizzard announces Hearthstone Grandmasters with $500,000 up for grabs

The new three-tiered Heartstone Masters program is well underway with ongoing qualifiers for the Masters Tour Las Vegas this June, but today organizers revealed the Hearthstone Grandmasters, billed as the pinnacle of Hearthstone esports. Everything is set to kick off on May 17, inviting 16 players each from Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific to compete.

Players from each region will be split into two divisions to battle it out for points and placements. Only the very best from the scene will be invited to join the Hearthstone Grandmasters. This season is going to be big, setting the top three players from each division against one another for the prize pool of $500,000 in the Global Finals at the end of the year.

You'll be able to catch all the action from the regular Masters program, as well as the Grandmasters on Twitch.

New Philadelphia esports arena

Fusion Esports Arena

Comcast Spectator and investor The Cordish Companies are looking to build the largest esports complex in the West, as reported by Variety. The new $50 million esports arena is set to be constructed this summer near the existing Sports Complex in Philadelphia.

According to the report, the Fusion Arena will house 3,500 seats, sport 60,000 square feet of space in total, and be designed with gaming hardware in mind. I mean, just look at it. There's bound to be some form of RGB lighting on the outside too. Team offices, broadcast studio and a training facility will also be on-site.

Upcoming live events

  • PUBG PEL — starting April 16, watch on Twitch.
  • Hearthstone Grandmasters — Season one starts May 17, watch on Twitch.
Rich Edmonds
Senior Editor, PC Build

Rich Edmonds was formerly a Senior Editor of PC hardware at Windows Central, covering everything related to PC components and NAS. He's been involved in technology for more than a decade and knows a thing or two about the magic inside a PC chassis. You can follow him on Twitter at @RichEdmonds.