Having taken over Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena last year, esports organisers ESL announced this morning that IEM Sydney will return this year.

One of the biggest trends in gaming for the last year is top sporting franchises buying up esports IP. Each major franchise wants to get its esports real estate before the whole thing gets even bigger, and the latest organisation to take notice is the Australian Football League -- which also just happened to buy Melbourne's Etihad Stadium last October.

Esports is alive and kicking around the world, with Premier League clubs creating their own teams, NBA stars buying out others, and players with salaries and fanbases the size of superstars. Australia's scene is just as lively, with tournaments on a constant basis. Here's everything in the local scene that you'll want to keep an eye out for in 2017.