In a world of ever-increasing prize pools, the Electronic Sports League (ESL) is determined to stay relevant. They are announcing a bunch of tournaments this year that will get a lot of attention thanks to some impressive prizes – while Dota has the top spot, even CS: GO is nothing to sneeze at.
First up, last week the ESL announced the “world’s largest Counter-Strike: GO tournament” to be held in Cologne Germany from 22-23 August. The prize will be $250 000 but it’s different from tournaments with that same prize amount in the past – this time all that cash is coming entirely from the ESL.
But their investment doesn’t stop there. The Dota 2 series is also going to bring in a ton of spectators and it needs the prize pool to back it up. ESL is throwing $1 million into the total prize pool across all competitions over the next 12 months. Ulrich Shulze, managing director of pro gaming at ESL said in a statement I’m copying and pasting here:
We’re starting with ESL One Frankfurt 2015 in June this year, where the prize money has been raised from US$150,000 to US$250,000 – and this is just the beginning. ESL One is here to set a new standard for professional Dota 2 events at this level. We’re dedicated to pushing the boundaries, and giving players from around the world more chances to make their careers as professional gamers is a key aspect of that.
This means the ESL has quadrupled their investment in Dota 2 compared to last year. That’s quite a hefty sum and it will definitely draw more participants to the event. Of course, nothing touches The International, which will probably break even more records this year. Still, it’s good to see other leagues and tournaments upping their game. It’s hard to get attention in eSports with such a glut of tournaments – teams will often pass up an event if someone else is offering a larger prize pool. This will certainly help the ESL to stay relevant, and make the games more interesting; playing for a ridiculous amount of money always boost spectator value.
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Last Updated: February 25, 2015
RinceThis
February 25, 2015 at 15:11
No doubt some people are going to say that this is killing eSports, the small unknown teams that is. Trololo
Guild
February 25, 2015 at 15:22
Lol I like that there more tournaments with some decent prize money. Hoping we get something like this here
RinceThis
February 25, 2015 at 15:23
Agreed. I am also much disappoint in Zoe, she could have mentioned the LG tournament!
Pariah
February 25, 2015 at 15:29
That’s for CoD. Nobody cares about that. We want to know about Dota and CS:GO
The real eSpertz. Yanno.
Guild
February 25, 2015 at 15:39
You know I was going to put it up for vote on the next tournament but since you can’t support the current one, I guess I drop Dota and CS:GO off the list and put LoL and Battlefield up instead 😛
Pariah
February 25, 2015 at 15:43
hahaha, you know I was trolling right? “The real eSpertz” should hopefully give that away. (I’m 90% sure you’re aware, just want anyone else reading to know).
Honestly, I think all eSports games need more tournaments in this country. We need more competitive arenas so our guys can really make a success of it, much like they do in Europe or China. Unfortunately, in some disciplines we’re just not up to scratch, and having more tournaments would go a long way in bridging that gap.
Saying that, our CoD and Battlefield is pretty up to scratch, so let’s not forget that. Our guys do us proud with every outing internationally. 😀
Guild
February 25, 2015 at 15:48
I know you trolling budd 😛 Just having some fun back at you.
I’m really enjoying the CoD tournament so definitely going to put it up for vote on the next tournament. There so many great ideas and it would be awesome to get something really great going across the board for all competitive games. The CoD PS4 tournament is hopefully a good start to something more.
Matthew Holliday
February 25, 2015 at 15:30
dota 2 has so many effing tournaments.
http://www.dota2.com/store/#cat=130584270
having the bigger tournaments, opens up the smaller ones for the tier 3+ teams.
so long as prizes dont extend into the insane, like The International 27 million dollar type money, i think more money can only do good.
insane kinds of money though, can ruin careers, guys win millions of dollars and instantly retire etc.
RinceThis
February 25, 2015 at 15:31
Agreed.
SargonTheGreatPandaOfAkkad
February 25, 2015 at 15:36
I dunno. If I won $27 million with a DotA team at TI I’m 100% sure I’d try to do it again. Another year, another $27 million?! Insanity, not even trying to go for it. Plus with all the other things on the line… it just smacks me of some sort of character flaw to just stop. eAthletes or eQuickCashCows? These people gotta decide.
Pariah
February 25, 2015 at 15:35
That’s exactly what’s happened with NewBee. They win TI4, and stop caring. They’ve become so bad now, because they have so much money they just don’t care any more.
Matthew Holliday
February 25, 2015 at 18:18
its the TI curse. whoever wins, either sucks hard, or retires.
iG, Alliance, Newbee? who are they even?