COLOGNE/STOCKHOLM/NEW YORK — Cologne/Stockholm/New York — April 22, 2021- ESL Gaming, the world’s largest esports company, has revealed updates to its much-anticipated Counter Strike: Global Offensive competitions including both events in Q2 as well as Q3’s ESL One Cologne. In light of ongoing global health restrictions, ESL plans further quarterly updates to keep the esports community informed.
DreamHack Masters Spring, scheduled to take place between April 29th and May 9th, will play out as a global online tournament with teams competing from various locations in Europe. Similarly, Intel® Extreme Masters Summer slated for June will also move to an online-only format. Previous plans had been for both tournaments to be in-person competitions from within a controlled studio environment, however the changes have been announced with the safety of the teams, crews and the esports community being paramount.
July’s ESL One Cologne tournament falling into Q3 will unfortunately close its doors to any form of public attendance. However, pending continued evaluation, it will be the first in-person competition in ESL’s calendar since March 2020, with the 24 teams fighting it out from a controlled studio setting. Current plans allow for any tournaments after Cologne and to follow this format, again pending the latest health guidance and advice.
The past year has forced many changes to events and tournament formats, all of which will make the return of fans in future all the more sweet, but the response from the esports community has been incredible. The online formats have brought record broadcast numbers with ESL collaborating with teams and partners to bring the best possible viewing experience to fans around the world. While current plans entail all events after ESL One Cologne will be played out as in-person studio competition, ESL are also working hard and exploring all available options to bring back live events in November. Further quarterly updates will be given so that the esports community can be kept up to speed on all upcoming tournaments across ESL’s gaming titles.
EPT Masters & Masters Championship calendar for CS:GO in 2021 Q2 and ESL One Cologne :
- DreamHack Masters Spring 2021 | 29 Apr – May 09 | USD $250,000 | 16 Teams | Online
- IEM Summer 2021 | 03 – 13 June | USD $250,000 | 16 Teams | Online
- ESL One Cologne 2021 | 06 – 18 Jul | USD $1,000,000 | 24 Teams | Studio
For more information please visit eslgaming.com and follow ESL on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
