With the growing spread of the current novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, many esports tournaments organizers have made the decision to cancel, postpone, clear audiences, or make adjustment to their events.
The list of tournaments already cancelled or postponed are:
– League of Legend:champions Korea League, Professional League, European Championship, Championship series
– Counter Strike: Global Offensive – Flashpoint, ESL Pro League
– Dota 2 – ESL One
– Overwatch League
– Call Of Duty League
– PUBG Global Series
– Rocket League World Championship
– Heartstone Masters Tour Indonesia
– Apex Legend GLobal Series
– FIFA20 Global Series
– Free Fire Championship cup
– Pokemon European International Championship
– NBA 2K League
– Fighting Games: Capcom Pro Tour, Tokyo Tekken Masters, Tekken world tour, Tekken pro championship, Final Kombat (Mortal Kombat), Brawlhalla Tournament, Smash World Tour, Panda Global Ranking
– Gaming Conventions: Dreamhack tours, SXSW, Game Developers Convention, E3, Twitchcon Amsterdam, Minecraft festival
– PUBG Mobile Pro League: converted to online only.
These physical events being cancelled or postponed has seen a rise and huge interest in online tournaments and streams due to the indefinite suspension of global sporting events and their leagues. Many stakeholders have suggested this might be the focus that will bring esports to more recognizable heights, since it is the only “sporting” activity with live and current content for viewers at the moment.
As Africa grows its esports scene, majority of its activities have been more physical and offline than online. The gradual spread of covid19 across the continent, has seen local tournament organizers suspend events indefinitely or convert to online. With this development, stakeholders are hopeful that this will encourage more online interested and content creation, which as been an area of opportunity the continent can explore while growing the industry.
