Professional Counter-Strike: Global Offensive esports organizer ESL takes the coveted One Cologne tournament online this year, courtesy of COVID-19. The event, which was originally scheduled for July 2020, now commences in late August with a prize pool of $500,000. And will be held across Europe, North America, Asia, and Oceania.
Hosted in Cologne, Germany since 2014, One Cologne is historically organized over LAN. But the format is scheduled to change this year owing to the logistical difficulties due to the rampant travel restrictions across Europe. That is not the only change in place, however.
The original $1 million prize pool is halved as the tournament goes online, with the remaining 50% of the amount being added to the prize pools of IEM Katowice and ESL One Cologne 2021. Moreover, the event this year will neither be counted among the Masters Championship, nor the Intel Grand Slam Season 3.
One Cologne Goes Regional in 2020
The organizers’ decision to take this year’s event regional isn’t surprising. Considering the challenges of aligning global time zones, adjusting for regional bandwidths, and other unforeseen difficulties, it’s the only logical step.
The four regions in question are:
- Europe, with 16 teams competing for a $325,000 prize pool.
- North America, which has 8 teams vying for a $135,000 prize.
- Asia, with four teams and $20,000 in prize money
- And, Oceania with four teams and $20,000 in prizes too!
With the dates for the event arriving rapidly,esports betting is a hot topic on the internet. More so since this year’s list of competing teams was unveiled.
ESL CS: GO One Cologne List of Regional Participants
Competing from Europe are Astralis, BIG Clan, Complexity Gaming, FaZe Clan, Fnatic, G2 Esports, Heretics, Heroic, MAD Lions, Made in Brazil, Mouseports, Natus Vincere, Ninjas in Pyjamas, OG, Sprout, and Team Vitality.
The most exciting announcement this year is perhaps Made in Brazil’s switch from North America to Europe, which isn’t their usual hunting grounds. The announcement came as a surprise amidst the hosts declaring One Cologne 2020 an online event.
MiBr had planned this year’s participation with the LAN event in Europe in mind. As a result, they had agreed to let a couple of players return to Brazil. But, owing to the strict travel restrictions in North America, they had no choice but to alter their home ground. And the organizers agreed to the compromise considering the unforeseen circumstances.
The move hasn’t altered the total number of teams participating from North America though. Taking MiBr’s place in the region is Chaos Esports Club. The other teams include reigning champions Team Liquid, 100 Thieves, Cloud9, Evil Geniuses, FURIA Esports, Gen.G Esports, and Triumph.
The Asian teams include Invictus Gaming, Beyond Esports, TYLOO, and ViCi Gaming. While AVANT, Chiefs, ORDER, and Renegades are participating from Oceania.
ESL One Cologne 2020 is scheduled to begin on August 18 in Europe and North America. At the same time, Asia and Oceania go live on August 25.
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