Capcom removes Brussels Challenge, NorCal Regionals, and April Annihilation from 2020 Capcom Pro Tour due to coronavirus concerns
Capcom, the renowned esports company behind popular fighting games like Street Fighter, has announced the removal of three major tournaments from the 2020 Capcom Pro Tour due to concerns surrounding the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The tournaments affected are Brussels Challenge, NorCal Regionals, and April Annihilation.
Brussels Challenge, initially scheduled to take place from March 20-22, has been canceled entirely. NorCal Regionals, which was set to occur from April 10-12, has been postponed until further notice. Lastly, April Annihilation, scheduled for April 10-12, has also been postponed indefinitely.
Capcom made this decision in the interest of both the players and the overall community who would attend these events. With the recent global outbreak of COVID-19, many gatherings and public events have been impacted, prioritizing the health and safety of participants.
The announcement from Capcom emphasized that while it’s disappointing to cancel or postpone these tournaments, they believe it is the right decision given the circumstances. They expressed their commitment to protecting the health and well-being of the fighting game community.
Capcom Pro Tour is an annual series of premier fighting game tournaments, where players compete to earn points and qualify for the Capcom Cup, the prestigious finale. With these three tournaments being removed from the schedule, it will undoubtedly impact the points distribution and ultimately, the players’ journey to qualify for the Capcom Cup.
Players who already registered for the Brussels Challenge, NorCal Regionals, and April Annihilation will be refunded their registration fees. Capcom assured the community that they will continue to monitor the situation regarding the coronavirus pandemic and make further adjustments to the Capcom Pro Tour schedule if necessary.
This recent decision by Capcom reflects the broader impact that the coronavirus pandemic is having on the esports industry. Esports events across multiple titles have been canceled, postponed, or moved online to mitigate the spread of the virus.
Overall, the health and safety of esports players, spectators, and staff remain a top priority. The esports community continues to adapt to these challenging times, finding alternative ways to engage with fans and maintain competitive gaming experiences.