The teams are all set for the Esports Championship Series (“ECS”) Finals, run by FACEIT in Cancun, Mexico. The exotic location will see eight teams compete for their share of $750,000 (~£563,800) at the Hard Rock Hotel between the 15th and 17th December.
Four teams from Europe and four teams from North America will battle it out for the title currently held by SK Gaming who took the crown back at the SSE Wembley Arena, London in June this year.
The current holders will not compete in Mexico having failed to qualify, finishing fifth in the North American league this season. Instead, Cloud9, OpTic Gaming, Team Liquid and Luminosity Gaming will take to the stage to represent the Americas. From the European side, London-based Fnatic headed the league and qualified top, with FaZe, mousesports and Astralis also headed to Cancun. G2 Esports, Ninjas in Pyjamas and Virtus.pro are amongst the big names to miss out.
As always, all of the teams competing in Season 4 of ECS are permitted to sign up for co-ownership in the league and play a role in determining representation of the league’s governing committee. The ECS is providing $1.5million for the fourth season that goes towards the prize pool as well as supportive funds for player and team stability. The league also aims to help organisations provide better salaries, facilities and equipment to improve overall conditions and welfare for players and providing more structure to the scene.
Esports Insider says: Cancun in December looks lovely – and we’re mightily upset that we’re not going to be out there. Instead, we had to endure a cold British winter. There’s sure to be some great CS:GO on show. FaZe aren’t looking the force they once were, so it’s all up for grabs out in Mexico.
