Field Level Media
22 Jan 2021, 09:10 GMT+10
ESL Gaming moved closer to a return of in-person esports competition, announcing in tandem with the Counter-Strike Professional Players' Association a "Return to LAN" plan on Thursday.
Events moved strictly online last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, but that could change later this year based on the deal struck between the event organizer and the players union.
According to a tweet from the CSPPA, the regulations cover:
--Testing and other measures before arrival at the event
--Travel and arrival at accommodation
--Creation of a controlled environment among participants, staff and others
--Ongoing COVID-19 testing procedures during stay
--Prepared actions in case of positive tests
--Prepared measures in order to ensure that players can return home safely
The plan to return to LAN (local area network) action is "pending local regulation and guidelines."
CSPPA chief executive officer Mads Oland said in a statement, "It is paramount for the CSPPA to protect the health and safety of our members. The players are eager to play LAN events again, but only if it can be done in a safe and responsible manner. It is our hope that with the guidance of these protocols, the players will be able to compete on LAN in early 2021."
ESL senior vice president of product Urich Schulz added in a statement, "Through this difficult year, one thing has always remained the priority for everyone at ESL and that is the safety and wellbeing of our community. We are of course excited at the prospect of a return to LAN tournaments, but this will only happen when we can be sure that the health of players, coaches, staff and the community at large is safeguarded. This protocol is a big step in the right direction for edging closer to a return of LAN tournaments."
On Wednesday, ESL Gaming announced that it plans to resume LAN competition for ESL and DreamHack tournaments for most events in 2021, though live audiences probably won't return until late in the year.
The ESL Pro Tour CS:GO is set to kick off Feb. 16-18 with the IEM Katowice 2021 in Poland, a 24-team, $1 million tournament.
According to The Esports Observer, ESL's next live event in the United States would be the DreamHack Atlanta in November.
--Field Level MediaGet a daily dose of Paris Guardian news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Paris Guardian.
More InformationATLANTA, Georgia: The United States is facing its worst measles outbreak in more than three decades, with 1,288 confirmed cases so...
In the past month alone, 23 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza—three more than the number of remaining living hostages held...
LONDON, U.K.: At least 13 people are believed to have taken their own lives as a result of the U.K.'s Post Office scandal, in which...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: Travelers at U.S. airports will no longer need to remove their shoes during security screenings, Department of Homeland...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: An elaborate impersonation scheme involving artificial intelligence targeted senior U.S. and foreign officials in...
SLUBICE, Poland: Poland reinstated border controls with Germany and Lithuania on July 7, following Germany's earlier reintroduction...
REDMOND, Washington: Artificial intelligence is transforming Microsoft's bottom line. The company saved over US$500 million last year...
WASHINGTON, D.C.: A federal rule designed to make it easier for Americans to cancel subscriptions has been blocked by a U.S. appeals...
BASTROP, Texas: In a surprising turn at Elon Musk's X platform, CEO Linda Yaccarino announced she is stepping down, just months after...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: Former British prime minister Rishi Sunak will return to Goldman Sachs in an advisory role, the Wall Street...
LONDON, U.K.: Physically backed gold exchange-traded funds recorded their most significant semi-annual inflow since the first half...
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands: Some 32 percent of global semiconductor production could face climate change-related copper supply disruptions...