ESL One Cologne and IEM Melbourne 2020 live events postponed

Following IEM Katowice earlier this year, CS:GO tournaments ESL One Cologne will be staged without a live audience, while IEM Melbourne has been rescheduled for next year.

A statement on the ESL website reads: “After careful evaluation of the upcoming ESL One Cologne and IEM Melbourne events in 2020, we have come to a decision in line with current regulations on large gatherings in both Germany and Australia.

“As a result of this, both ESL One Cologne and IEM Melbourne will not occur with audiences this year, with both live events postponed until 2021.”

Tickets purchased for this year’s event will remain valid for 2021, with the company also announcing ESL One Cologne 2021 will take place 16-18th July at LANXESS Arena. 

IEM Melbourne 2021 will take place at Rod Laver Arena on 21-22nd August. If you can’t make the new dates, you can request a refund for your tickets.

ESL One Cologne is considered one of the biggest events in the CS:GO calendar, so while this is inevitably disappointing, at least it’s going ahead in some capacity. 

ESL One Rio was similarly postponed from May until late November due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, although it’s unclear if this will switch a no audience event too. 

While no plans have been announced regarding if IEM Melbourne will move to an online format, ESL One Cologne 2020 will be transformed into a broadcasted tournament without an audience from 21-30th August.