Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Comes to New York
This fall, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) will be the main game for ESL One’s annual stop in New York. The event will take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, which usually hosts large sporting events. This year, it will feature a $250,000 prize pool for CS:GO, presenting a big opportunity for Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment to expand into the realm of esports.
Barclays Center Embraces the Growing Esports Industry
Brett Yormark, CEO of Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment, expressed excitement about hosting one of the largest tournaments on the East Coast. He stated that ESL One New York will diversify the programming portfolio of Barclays Center and establish the venue as a leader in emerging trends in sports and entertainment.
ESL One New York: Where Competition Meets Festival
In line with ESL’s earlier announcement about its Frankfurt stop, ESL One New York aims to combine the excitement of competition with the laid-back atmosphere of a festival. The event will offer a grander scope and feature more games than previous iterations.
A Shift in Focus for ESL One New York
ESL One New York seems to have shifted its focus away from Dota 2. While previous events only featured Valve’s MOBA title, the press release for this year’s tournament does not mention it. Although ESL mentioned that multiple games will be featured, it is unknown whether Dota 2 will be one of them.
Last year, the League Championship Series NA finals were held at Madison Square Garden, making this the latest esports event to come to New York.