How can esports be the future if it still has one foot stuck in the past?
What’s the point of global gaming if not everyone’s welcome to play?
How long will we accept discrimination and toxicity as just a part of the game?
#GGFORALL will launch a range of new initiatives designed to tackle discrimination, promote mental wellbeing and progress environmental sustainability in esports. Starting proudly with a new Global Women’s circuit in Counter-Strike supported by Intel® and more partners.
ESL Impact, the $500,000 CS:GO all women’s circuit, features two league seasons with live finals at DreamHack, a standalone event, and online cash cups for all women. It is a first important step towards a more diverse Counter-Strike ecosystem as we are looking to attract more women into the game through a safe environment to compete in.
Cash Cups Update!
We are happy to announce the regional Cash Cups to a total of 6 regions (formerly 4)!
This is done by splitting the Asian region into two: Asia Pacific and Oceania.The $1,000 of monthly prize pool will be split as well. In addition to that, we will add Cash Cups for the South Africa Region with a monthly prize money of $500 for grabs. These changes lower the barriers for players from Oceania by allowing them to join local competitions on local servers, while the addition of South Africa Cash Cups enables a whole new region to participate. Additionally, this ups the total monthly Cash Cups prize money to $4,500.
ESL Impact features 24 teams across Europe, South America and North America, with prize pools of $150,000 per season. The two best teams from each region, together with two wildcards joining through open qualifiers, will participate in the Global League Finals at DreamHack Dallas (June 3 – 5, 2022) and DreamHack Winter (November 24 – 26, 2022).
Furthermore, during DreamHack festivals, there will be standalone events with each event housing eight teams from qualifiers & invites across all regions competing for a $100,000 prize pool. These events are equal to that of ESL Challenger events that are part of ESL Pro Tour. The first event will take place at DreamHack Valencia on July 1 - 3, 2022.
Finally, starting in January 2022, Cash Cups for women’s teams will be added to ESEA. Offering all-female rosters an opportunity to compete twice a month for their share of a $4,000 prize pool (split evenly between the Asian-Pacific, European, North American and South American regions).
ESL Gaming will establish a women players council which will further define details around the CS:GO women’s circuit and give women a platform for more consolidated feedback towards ESL Gaming and other Tournament Organizers.
The Mission of ESIC is to be the recognised guardian of the integrity of esports and to take responsibility for disruption, prevention, investigation and prosecution for all forms of cheating, including, but not limited to, match manipulation and doping. ESL Gaming applies ESIC guidelines and supports ESIC’s conference EGES.
Visit pageWith industry leading professional teams,
ESL Gaming has founded WESA as an inclusive organization that furthers professionalization in esports. Open discussions with all stakeholders are the basis.
ESEA is a CS:GO matchmaking service that uses the industry leading anti-cheat (ESEA Client) to provide a better experience for all levels of players looking to get the most out of their time playing CS:GO. ESEA currently has PUGs, Scrims, Ladders, Events and runs one of the largest open format leagues in the world. In a recent Karma Update, further improvements have been made to crack down on toxicity and encourage good behavior.
Learn moreESL Gaming will work with our network of elite teams and players (i.e. Louvre Members, Player Council) to advocate for and collectively work towards the overall sustainability and governance of the pro esports ecosystem.
Learn MorePara Esports in a non-profit esports organisation that was created in order to break gamers' involuntary isolation and give them a more full and great meaningful life. We invited them to IEM Cologne to get the pro experience, and feel like legends.
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The Esports Research Network is a collaboration of various researchers fostering interdisciplinary research on the emerging phenomenon of esports. Supported by ESL Gaming, the Esports Research Network goals are to gain rigorous insights into esports, foster the sustainable growth of esports, shape the role of esports in the society and translate this knowledge to obtain cognition for the digitized world society is growing into.
Visit pageFollowing on from efforts to digitize educational institutions, ZEIT (a German national weekly newspaper) launched the ESportZ initiative with ESL Gaming in autumn 2020. The goal is to bring the skills and values of online sports to 14 to 20-year-olds in schools in Germany through professional teaching materials.
Visit pageESL Gaming is committed to supporting Ukrainian refugees and has done so by several means. Our office in Poland works closely with local authorities and charities to create a safe space for families and organize collections of necessities of the highest demand, housing, and work arrangements. In addition, we have launched a fast-tracking application system for Ukrainian refugees to apply for open jobs and internship positions to facilitate the process. ESL Gaming has also made financial donations to support the local charities and UNHCR in their actions to bring help to those in need.
Fast track applicationESL joins forces with independent researchers to advance understanding of gaming behaviours through a self-assessment tool and promote smart gaming.
Visit pageGamers Outreach is a charity that empowers hospitalized families through play. Our goal is to build a world where activity is easily prioritized as part of care. Video games are our tools of choice.
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