Pro League Season 11 to be broadcasted online, no live audience

Citing current global dynamics, organizers of the ESL Pro League have decided to hold all regular-season matches of ESL Pro League Season 11 online, without a live audience.

Not a lot was said as for the location for the finals, but the organizers said that it will be in a studio location in Europe, instead of holding it in 1STTBANK Center, Denver.

In a press statement released on March 12, the original studio location to hold the finals was in Malta. However, after the country imposed a number of travel restrictions, organizers decided to move the location to where most players are.

“Because of this, instead of having over a hundred players, coaches, team members and ESL staff in a single location over multiple weeks, teams and players will be playing their matches either from home, team houses or in suitable boot camp locations in Europe and play out their matches on dedicated online servers,” part of the press statement said.

This move will “minimize the overall travel and mitigate the risk for potential travel restrictions”

This is not the first time that ESL made this move, as the IEM Katowice 2020 was also played behind closed doors after the government of Silesia Province revoked their mass event license.

“We fully support all measures aimed at containing the COVID-19 dynamics as much as possible,” the organizers said.

Teams have reportedly been supportive, offering their facilities and bootcamps to players who come from other countries.

“All of the teams and the CSPPA (Counter-Strike Professional Players Association) have been extremely supportive and teams are offering their facilities and boot camp locations to fellow players coming in from other countries and we are doing everything we can to provide the safest environment,” part of the announcement said.

Those who purchased tickets were assured to get a full refund and should receive communication from 1STBANK Center soon.

On the same day, ESL also postponed the Los Angeles Dota 2 Major, due to travel restrictions from Europe to the United States.