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Professional Counter-Strike: Global Offensive league, Flashpoint, announced the delay of matches and tournament’s transition into an online format. As COVID-19 (coronavirus) continues to wreak havoc around the world, the esports industry is taking a heavy hit. For the vast majority of organizations, the industry’s reliance on both domestic and international travel is a health risk.
Flashpoint’s statement isn’t much of a surprise, however. Similarly, last week their league counterpart, ESL Pro League (EPL), reformatted season 11. EPL, in an effort to limit international travel, has separated the global division into four regions, 3 European and 1 North American. Likewise, the Pro League finals have been relocated three separate times, first from Stockholm, then to Denver and finally to online. Additionally, four professional CSGO teams resigned from EPL’s eleventh season. Instead of competing, the squads will head back home to their countries and prepare for next season.
Flashpoint League’s Official Statement
According to Flashpoint’s official Twitter announcement, the organization decided to postpone all season 1 matches in order to transition to a LAN format. Participating teams will no longer stay in Los Angeles and will travel back to their respective homes. In order to uphold competitive integrity, the organization emphasizes they are “working diligently to ensure each team’s home site is suitable to maintain our standards.”
Flashpoint to delay tomorrow's matches and move online as we battle COVID-19. We look forward to helping fill the content void and continuing to provide CS:GO fans with entertainment. pic.twitter.com/2zPAJKGNhW
— Flashpoint (@Flashpoint) March 17, 2020
There’s no word as to when matches will be played again. Flashpoint assures a more detailed outline would be released when teams are organized and ready for competitive play.
Flashpoint kicked off this weekend, starting with teams organizing the competitive groups on Thursday. Friday brought the official first day of the competition’s broadcast and it was wildly successful. Matches taking place Sunday, March 15 attracted the league’s peak viewership 61,269 concurrent views.
Stay tuned to SickOdds for Flashpoint updates and all your Counter-Strike: Global Offensive needs.