Over the last 20 years, rAge Expo has built, hosted, and grown many of South Africa’s biggest and most exhilarating esports events. rAge 2022 will once again deliver, with Intel confirming that the brand is on board as a major sponsor for this year’s event, and that the Intel Africa Masters CS:GO tournament finals will take place at the new home of #rAgeExpo2022, Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand this December.

“This is the largest CG:GO cross-continent competition in Africa to date. With a $30 000 prize pool on offer, the competition will be fierce, and we can’t wait to host the finals. It's going to be awesome getting together again in person watching a live tournament of this calibre, and we look forward to welcoming the teams from across Africa!” says Michael James, Project Director, rAge.

Since 2006 Intel has sponsored the Intel Extreme Masters, a global gaming tournament that sees the best of the best CS:GO teams battle it out around the world. African teams have, for the most part, not featured in this prestigious competition.

Intel is pleased to launch the inaugural Intel Africa Masters, a gaming tournament designed by Africans for Africans. Intel has identified the need to invest in the African gaming community to provide African gamers with a platform to showcase their talent.

“Intel is excited to partner with rAge 2022 and look forward to hosting the Intel Africa Masters semi-finals and finals at this year’s event. The tournament provides a platform to get African Gamers out of isolation from their local country bubbles and start competing internationally. The partnership between Intel, rAge & Mettlestate will go a long way towards creating more opportunities for teams and players. By introducing Intel Africa Masters, a potential “path to pro” can be forged,” says Intel Country Lead for South Africa, Nitesh Doolabh.

Mettlestate, the leading esports and gaming platform in Africa, are running the tournament. “It is an honour to host the largest competition in Africa”, says Mettlestate managing director, Barry Louzada. “We have the chance to showcase the unbelievable talent that Africa has to offer in the esports space. Having the finals of this cross-continental tournament at rAge will only highlight what the Intel Africa Masters has to offer its participants: opportunity and glory.”