ESL announces changes to CSGO calendar, with Cologne being a LAN event

ESL One Cologne will be held in a controlled studio environment, without a live audience, the company announced today.

ESL released a statement, in which it specifies the changes it has made to its Pro Tour calendar for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Besides ESL One Cologne being a LAN tournament, we can read that ESL Pro League: Season 14 Malta, Intel Extreme Masters Fall will also be arranged in a studio, behind closed doors.

The real update to esports events is about to happen by the end of the year, as according to the new Pro Tour plans, IEM Winter will be organized as a live event with an audience in attendance. 

(Picture: ESL)

On the other hand, ESL notes that further changes are on the table, depending on the global situation with the pandemic. “We will continue to monitor the ongoing situation and provide additional quarterly updates to further inform everyone as to what the calendar will look like for the remainder of the year” the statement follows.

• Read more: Valve ends lifetime VAC bans for CSGO majors, five-year term imposed

This means that this year’s ESL One Cologne won’t happen at the iconic LANXESS Arena. Nevertheless, those of you who bought tickets for the 2020/2021 edition of the event don’t have to worry, as they remain valid for the next year when the company hopes to finally return to the venue.