Field Level Media
22 Jan 2021, 09:10 GMT+10
ESL Gaming moved closer to a return of in-person esports competition, announcing in tandem with the Counter-Strike Professional Players' Association a "Return to LAN" plan on Thursday.
Events moved strictly online last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, but that could change later this year based on the deal struck between the event organizer and the players union.
According to a tweet from the CSPPA, the regulations cover:
--Testing and other measures before arrival at the event
--Travel and arrival at accommodation
--Creation of a controlled environment among participants, staff and others
--Ongoing COVID-19 testing procedures during stay
--Prepared actions in case of positive tests
--Prepared measures in order to ensure that players can return home safely
The plan to return to LAN (local area network) action is "pending local regulation and guidelines."
CSPPA chief executive officer Mads Oland said in a statement, "It is paramount for the CSPPA to protect the health and safety of our members. The players are eager to play LAN events again, but only if it can be done in a safe and responsible manner. It is our hope that with the guidance of these protocols, the players will be able to compete on LAN in early 2021."
ESL senior vice president of product Urich Schulz added in a statement, "Through this difficult year, one thing has always remained the priority for everyone at ESL and that is the safety and wellbeing of our community. We are of course excited at the prospect of a return to LAN tournaments, but this will only happen when we can be sure that the health of players, coaches, staff and the community at large is safeguarded. This protocol is a big step in the right direction for edging closer to a return of LAN tournaments."
On Wednesday, ESL Gaming announced that it plans to resume LAN competition for ESL and DreamHack tournaments for most events in 2021, though live audiences probably won't return until late in the year.
The ESL Pro Tour CS:GO is set to kick off Feb. 16-18 with the IEM Katowice 2021 in Poland, a 24-team, $1 million tournament.
According to The Esports Observer, ESL's next live event in the United States would be the DreamHack Atlanta in November.
--Field Level MediaGet a daily dose of Illinois Intelligencer news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Illinois Intelligencer.
More InformationTORONTO, Canada: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced late on June 29 that trade negotiations with the U.S. have recommenced...
Washington DC [US], July 3 (ANI): US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Mignon Houston on Wednesday (local time) stated that student...
Washington DC [US], July 3 (ANI): US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Mignon Houston on Wednesday (local time) said that India...
Multiple Kiev officials have criticized the halt of US weapon supplies Kiev is no longer a priority at the center of US foreign policy,...
Washington DC [US], July 3 (ANI): US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Mignon Houston on Wednesday (local time) said that India...
Washington, DC [USA], July 3 (ANI): The Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting (QFIM) held in Washington placed strong emphasis on the importance...
ISTANBUL/PARIS/BRUSSELS: As searing temperatures blanket much of Europe, wildfires are erupting and evacuation orders are being issued...
VENICE, Italy: Over the weekend, hundreds of protesters marched through the narrow streets of Venice to voice their opposition to billionaire...
PARIS, France: France is taking stronger steps to reduce smoking. A new health rule announced on Saturday will soon ban smoking in...
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed Elon Musk's success has been built on government subsidies. Without...
EVERGLADES, Florida: Over the weekend, a diverse coalition of environmental activists, Native American leaders, and residents gathered...
BEIJING, China: China's national soccer team may struggle to stir excitement, but its humanoid robots are drawing cheers — and not...