Australian CATAN National Championship 2022

You may have heard of the longstanding board game CATAN, or if like me you’re only aware of it after browsing Games Workshop. But did you know there is an Australian CATAN National Championship, and the winner of that will represent Australia at the CATAN World Championship event? Dating back to the first tournament held in Germany in 1995, this bi-annual international championship is a culmination of each country’s National Champions, to ultimately crown a CATAN World Champion. For us in Australia, there are State Championship events held in South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, however players don’t have to qualify at a State Championship to enter the Australian CATAN National Championship.

Heats have already started firing in South Australia running over the period 7 to 28 May on Wednesday and Thursday nights from 5pm ACST. Heats in SA are held at The Lost Dice with admission of $8.50, and the final is scheduled for June 4 (time TBC). The full schedule in other states is listed below with links to register:

• QLD State Championship: 21 May, 10am AEST
  • Venue: Geebung RSL
  • Admission: TBC  
• NSW State Championship: 28 May, 10:15am AEST
  • Venue: Behold Games
  • Admission: $10 
• VIC State Championship: 4 June, 4pm to 9pm AEST
  • Venue: Fortress Melbourne
  • Admission: $21.53 
  • Watch at https://www.twitch.tv/fortressmelb or head to Fortress for free spectator entry

State Championship prizes are as follows:

1. Winner: $1,000 travel expenses and free entry to the Australian CATAN National Championship in Canberra, plus a seat at the Nationals Top 16
2. Second place (CATAN bundle valued at $199.80):
   1. The Rivals for CATAN (SRP: $44.95)
   2. Logiquest CATAN Logic Puzzle (SRP: $39.95)
   3. CATAN Accessories Red Dice Hexatower (SRP: $34.95)
   4. CATAN Accessories Trading Post (SRP: $79.95)
3. Third place (CATAN Bundle valued at $94.85):
   1. CATAN Cities & Knights 5-6 Player Extension (SRP: $44.95)
   2. CATAN Cities & Knights Expansion Card Deck 5th Edition (SRP: $19.95)
   3. CATANimals Plushy (assorted variety) (SRP: $29.95)
4. Door prizes:
   1. 3 x CATANimals Plushies (assorted variety) (SRP: $29.95)

The winners of each tournament vie for a seat in the Top 16 at the Australian CATAN National Championship held in Canberra on 6 August 2022. 64 players at the National Championship will then compete for a place in the top four, where a champion will be crowned to represent Australia at the CATAN World Championship in Malta in November 2022. First through fourth placements at the World Championships receive a trophy and assorted CATAN-themed merchandise. The winner gets a stack of games (titles TBC) and a seat and trip to the next World Championships in 2024. Top 16 placements also receive upgraded game pieces!

To know more about the base CATAN boardgame, head over to the official site and the CATAN World Championship page.

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