Nintendo is partnering with Panda Global for the first-ever official Super Smash Bros. championship circuit.
In 2022, Panda Global will operate a series of officially licensed competitive circuits for Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. There’ll be several professional tournaments culminating in a massive championship later — no details just yet on when or where these will take place other than they’ll be in North America. So there’s still plenty of time to brush up on your Sora skills, at least.
The circuit will begin with qualifying rounds in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate via online play. Since Super Smash Bros. Melee doesn’t have an official online component (because it’s a 20-year-old game), in-person qualifiers will come once Nintendo and Panda Global are confident they can host a big event again safely.
We are proud to announce our partnership with @NintendoAmerica
In 2022 Panda will bring the first officially licensed circuit for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Super Smash Bros. Melee to North America.
More details for this short series of events with cash prizes coming later. pic.twitter.com/9PdW9ntfd6
— Panda (@PandaGlobal) November 18, 2021
Bill Trinen, senior director of product marketing at Nintendo, had nothing but enthusiasm for the company’s joint venture with Panda Global.
“This partnership with Panda Global is the next step in Nintendo’s efforts to create a more consistent, fun and welcoming competitive environment for our players and fans,” Trinen said in a statement. “We are proud to stand with an organization like Panda Global to celebrate and support the ever-growing competitive Super Smash Bros. community and create a space where all players can test and hone their competitive skills.”
The competitive scene for Smash Bros. is fairly health, especially with how often Nintendo adds big-name characters to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. An official tournament series is new, though. Maybe Masahiro Sakurai will make an appearance during the finals.
Written by Kyle Campbell on behalf of GLHF.
