Despite having only just started, 2016 already has plenty in store for esports fans across the globe. Below you’ll find some of the biggest ESL events currently on the horizon - which are you most looking forward to?
Intel Extreme Masters Taipei
From the 29th of January to the 2nd of February 2016, the Taipei Game Show will see some intense esports competition in the form of an official Valve regional minor CS:GO championship as well as a StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void invitational. Intel Extreme Masters Taipei marks the official return of Intel Extreme Masters Counter-Strike to Taipei, with a CS 1.6 tournament having taken place during the Intel Extreme Masters Asian Championship back in 2010. While eight top CS:GO teams from Southeast Asia and Australia battle it out for a US$50,000 prize pool and an invitation to the offline qualifier for the next Valve major, eight legendary StarCraft players will also compete for their share of US$25,000 in what promises to be an incredible event for fans of both games.
Intel Extreme Masters World Championship in Katowice
The Intel Extreme Masters World Championship in Katowice, set to take place from the 4th to the 6th of March 2016, will be the final event of the tenth season of the Intel Extreme Masters. The fourth consecutive season that the tournament series has headed to Katowice and the final destination of the last two Intel Extreme Masters seasons, the Spodek arena will once again have the honor of hosting thousands of fans as they watch the world’s strongest League of Legends and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive teams face off for massive prize pools and the chance to lift the iconic Intel Extreme Masters trophy.
ESL One Manila
On the 23rd and the 24th of April 2016, ESL One will be heading to Southeast Asia for the region’s first ever premium Dota 2 tournament: ESL One Manila. The Philippines’ Mall of Asia Arena, used to hosting rock concerts and massive sporting events, will instead see 7,000 Dota 2 fans watch some of the world’s best teams duke it out for the lion’s share of an incredible US$250,000 prize pool and the all-important ESL One championship title.
ESL One Frankfurt
Europe’s biggest Dota 2 tournament is back! ESL One Frankfurt will return to the Commerzbank Arena in Germany for the third year running on the 18th and 19th of June 2016, promising some amazing Dota 2 in an incredible venue as the world’s best teams clash for a US$250,000 prize pool. At over 500 square meters, ESL One Frankfurt 2016 will feature the largest screen ever to show Dota 2 as well as the widest variety of side activities yet. With esports, booths, cosplay and more, Frankfurt’s fantastic festival atmosphere has something for everyone and is not to be missed.
ESL One Cologne
Last year’s ESL One Cologne event broke both viewership and attendance records - and this year we’re planning on beating these again. Taking place at Germany’s iconic LANXESS arena, one of the largest in Europe, from the 8th to the 10th of July 2016, ESL Cologne 2016 is a world-class Counter-Strike: Global Offensive tournament which will see the cream of the CS:GO crop face off for a whopping US$250,000 prize pool - this event is an experience like no other.
Make sure to stay tuned to ESLGaming.com and follow ESL on Twitter for all the latest about ESL’s upcoming events (including those that are yet to be announced)!
