ESL has announced that it will play host to the first Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Major of 2020 in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.
ESL One Rio will have $1 million up for grabs with the teams battling it out in the Jeunesse Arena, an arena not unfamiliar with esports. The Jeunesse Arena was the location for the League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational in 2017 and hosted the Rainbow Six Siege Season 8 Pro Finals in 2018.
ESL One Rio will take a step back in terms of how many games will be played in front of a live audience as only the Champions Stage will give that opportunity. The previous Major played all three stages in front of a crowd.
The most recent Major was run by StarLadder in Berlin, Germany and saw Astralis win yet another iteration of the prestigious event. ESL’s last Major was IEM Katowice which also saw the Danish powerhouse walk away with the trophy.
You can find the full schedule below:
Minors – April 26 – May 3
Challengers Stage – May 11-14
Legends Stage – May 16-19
Champions Stage – May 21-24
With previous results in mind, those teams which come out on top in the Minors from April 26th to May 3rd will earn a spot playing against the following teams in the Challengers Stage:
G2
CR4ZY
North
FaZe
MIBR
mousesports
Having finished in the top eight at the previous Major in Berlin, the following teams have already earned their place in the Legends Stage.
Astralis
Liquid
Vitality
ENCE
Natus Vincere
AVANGAR
Evil Geniuses
100 Thieves
(By Steven Cropley)