Intel and ESL have put pen to paper on the biggest partnership in the 17 year history of ESL, as well as the largest ever commitment by a technology company into esports. After more than a decade of successful cooperation between Intel and ESL, we’re excited to reveal Intel as the Global Technical Partner of ESL, setting up Intel as the backbone of all ESL esports operations on a pro, amateur and grassroot level. The partnership extends from global events such as Intel Extreme Masters, ESL Pro League and ESL One to National Championships and online tournament platforms, as well as studio and broadcasting operations.

You can find the full list of productions benefiting from the new deal below:

• Intel Extreme Masters
• ESL Pro League
• ESL One events
• ESL National Championships
• Grassroots platforms
  • ESEA
  • ESL Play
• The new Intel eSports Arenas
  • Former ESL studios EU
  • Former ESL studios Burbank

As Global Technical Partner, Intel will provide cutting edge PC’s for all participating teams and players and high-performance processors for optimal streaming. This underlines Intel’s admirable commitment to competitive gaming throughout the years, without which esports wouldn’t be on the level it is today. Ever since Intel’s efforts to help build up the esports scene back in 2002 with the first ever Intel Friday Night Game, Intel is continuing to shape the future by pushing the competition to ever new heights.

“Intel’s involvement in esports and the gaming community has spanned more than 15 years, and we’re always looking for ways to take the player and fan experience to the next level,” said Gregory Bryant, senior vice president and general manager of the Client Computing Group at Intel Corporation. “In this next phase of our long-time partnership with ESL, we’re investing in the development of future esports stars, further expanding our global footprint with the Intel Extreme Masters circuit, and exploring fresh formats like the Intel Grand Slam that we announced today.”

The Intel Grand Slam

To add further value and excitement to the pro gaming community, we’re also thrilled to reveal the all new Intel Grand Slam for CS:GO, an additional $1,000,000 prize awarded to the first team that can win four out of the last ten $200,000 events held between DreamHack and ESL. The first Intel Grand Slam event will be ESL One Cologne 2017.

However, there is also an enticing $100,000 prize for any team that can put a stop to any potential Intel Grand Slam winner. Should a team with three eligible trophies be defeated in the important, fourth Grand Final which could grant them the Intel Grand Slam title, the opposing team will be rewarded with $100,000, as long as they themselves aren’t on the verge of winning the Intel Grand Slam title.

Once an Intel Grand Slam winner has been crowned, each team’s trophy count will be reset to zero and the hunt will start all over again.