We’ve been watching with amazement as some of the world’s top footballers compete in the Euro 2012 soccer championship in Poland and Ukraine. And while the matches have been intense, they simply won’t compare to the action taking place in Seattle next Thursday as top foosballers convene at the Showbox SODO for the big GeekWire Summer Bash and Ping Pong/Foosball tourney.
That’s right, we’ve got the wildest and wackiest geek sporting event happening June 21. You won’t want to miss this party.
Today, we’re excited to unveil the field in the 16-team foosball tourney. Or at least almost of all the field. We’ve had one last-minute slot open up, and your two-person team can grab it by being the first to register here today. Update: The foosball tourney is now full, and we’ve updated the bracket.
Download this PDF for the bracket, or click on the thumbnail image. We’ve got our eyes on some key matches in the first round, including ValueAppeal versus Colliers and Placed and 47 Degrees.
We’ve still got a few openings left in the expert ping pong tourney, so if you want to strut your mad pong skills sign up here. Update: The expert tourney is now full, as well. Stay tuned for the bracket tomorrow.
Also, if ping pong or foosball aren’t your thing, we’ll be hosting plenty of other activities throughout the afternoon, from new games like GeekBall to classics like Beer Pong to the ever-popular Golden Ping Pong ball scavenger hunt.
We’ll also be awarding special “Geek Pride” prizes for the attendees who fly their corporate colors in the most creative fashion. (Yes, dressing up to support your teammates will not only be encouraged, but rewarded).
FAQ FOR PONG AND FOOSBALL PLAYERS
What is the GeekWire Ping Pong and Foosball Tournament? The biggest, baddest geek sporting event you’ll ever see.
Where is it being held? The Showbox SODO at 1700 1st Avenue South in Seattle, just south of Safeco Field. Here’s the map. (And don’t worry, there isn’t a Mariners or Sounders game that day).
What time should I arrive? Doors will open to players at 3 p.m. All ping pong and foosball players must be checked in by 3:45 p.m. We’ve got more than 100 ping pongers and foosballers competing, so we’ll need your cooperation to move through the brackets as quickly as possible.
Where can I park? Though there is no validated parking for this venue, there are various parking lots and street parking (if you are lucky) surrounding the Showbox SODO. We recommend the Safeco Field parking lot as it has 2,000 spaces. It is just south of the ballbark and the entrance is off of Edgar Martinez Drive. Come prepared with your cash/credit card for this prepaid lot.
What should I wear? Comfortable clothes, tennis shoes, and a towel to dry off. And don’t forget to fly your corporate colors in an effort to win the coveted “Geek Pride” award.
Are personal paddles permitted? Absolutely. But if you don’t have your own bat, we’ll be providing some at the door upon check in.
How will matches be scored? For ping pong, each match will consist of a best of three-game series. Games will be played to 11 points, with players alternating serves after every two points. Games must be won by two points. For those who need a refresher, here are some basic rules of ping pong. For Foosball, it will also be a best of three-game series, single elimination tournament. We’ll play games to 5, with a time limit of 25 minutes on each match. Here are some basic rules. (and NO spinning allowed). Players will get a three-minute warm-up prior to each match.
What happens if I lose my first match? You will be eliminated from the tournament, but as tables open up throughout the evening you’ll be able to challenge your friends and co-workers to “friendly” matches in open play.
Why are you doing this? We love ping pong, foosball and geek culture, and thought it was time to combine them into one massive Summer Bash.
Thanks to sponsors Kobo, Filter, Barokas PR, Gist, Korrio, Tableau Software, Turnstone, Waggener Edstrom, Exsilio Solutions, ThePlatform, Zipwhip, SEOmoz, PayScale, and Christensen O’Connor Johnson & Kindness for making the event possible.
