August is the cream of the crop when it comes to Melee regionals. Coming into 2014, it was tied with January and November as the months with the most number of 100+ entrant tourneys all-time (13), and it was also one of just four months that have ever been home to two or more 200+ entrant tourneys all-time (January, February, and July are the others). With a rich history and precedent for regionals, it’s no surprise TOs have consistently successfully taken advantage of previous summer momentum by hosting in August. This year looks to be no different, as a cornucopia of regionals dot the Melee landscape.

Last month, EVO 2014 crushed the all-time Melee attendance record by producing an incredible 970 entrants, breaking its own record of 696 from just one year ago. Kings of Cali 4 garnered big numbers as well, producing an impressive 208 entrants despite a tense venue cancellation and uncancellation in the weeks before the event. As predicted, the post-EVO hangover took full effect, with Melee’s unprecedented streak of 10 consecutive weeks with a 100+ entrant tourney coming to an end in the two weeks following EVO. All in all, July stood true to form in its pattern of producing one mega-national with fewer regionals surrounding it.

August 2

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July is the premiere Smash month of the calendar year, featuring an interesting dynamic with respect to turnout: its six 200+ entrant tourneys all-time (MELEE-FC6, OC3, FC-Diamond, Genesis, Genesis 2, EVO 2013) are most of any month, but its ten 100+ entrant tourneys all-time are just fifth-most of any month. This indicates the degree to which attendees congregate around one major tourney in July each year, and 2014 looks to be the same story with EVO on the horizon.

Last month, the Melee community broke all June activity records, thriving on grassroots organization while faltering on the shoulders of corporate backing. Super SWEET, SSS Lock-In, and CEO 2014 all brought in excellent turnouts in part thanks to proven community TOs and the atypical presence of Armada in the States. MLG Anaheim was the biggest disappointment of the month, bringing in 325 entrants and producing poor reviews from both in-person attendees and stream viewers.

July 5

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There has been a total of 91 Melee tourneys with 100+ entrants in the grand history of this game. Can you believe only one of them has occurred in the month of May? MLG Dallas 2006 is the only Melee tourney on record to break 100+ entrants during this month, which should come as a surprise to any tourneygoer. This year looks to crush that precedent, with an unprecedented lineup of five straight MLG qualifiers filling the weekends of May 2014 and possibly providing the community with a historic run of 100+ entrant tourneys.

Last month, Fight Pitt IV was the biggest performer, shattering records in the NEOH/PGH area with a jaw-dropping 174 entrants. Fighters’ Edge UGC was the biggest bomb, producing a reported 17 entrants in what must be a disappointing (but nevertheless unsurprising) addition to the MLG qualifier series. Entrants data from April indicates that grassroots events still rule in 2014, despite a sizable amount of money and sponsorship being thrown at some more mainstream events. Smashers still live by and travel to the proven tournament experience offered by grassroots TOs, and that is unlikely to change anytime soon.

May 3

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