“What’s on this week?” Released every Monday to let you know just what’s going on in the wonderful world of esports in the next seven days. Each week, ESI will pick three to four events and provide a brief overview of what’s going down, where it’s taking place and how you can watch it.
Last week we had a case of EUphoria and whilst Fnatic might have failed to take the League of Legends world title, elsewhere Finnish Starcraft 2 master Serral became the first non-South Korean to win a Starcraft World Championships.
SMITE Console World Championship 2019 and SMITE World Championship (PC) Qualifiers
The SMITE action continues this week, with NA side InControl Gaming previously beating EU first seed Insomnia to face off against their fellow NA counterparts Astral Authority. On the other side of the bracket, NA 2nd seed Flash Point eSports toppled EU 2nd seed Noxious to set up their semifinal with EU side Team RivaL.
This week will also see the start of the PC SMITE World Championships – From North America, Armanda Esports, Counter Logic Gaming, Luminosity Gaming, Spacestation Gaming and Trifecta – From Europe, Insignem, mousesports, Obey Alliance, SK Gaming and Team RivaL will be joined by Athletico (OCE), GetOnMyLeveL (SEA), Loto Gaming (LATAM) Nocturns Gaming (LAS) and NoPing E-Sports (Brazil). Round of 16 matches will kick off the action, with Obey Alliance and Spacestation getting a bye to the Quarterfinals.
Stream: HiRezTV – Location: Georgia, USA – Date: 5/11/18 at 17:00 CEST – Sponsors: – Mixer – Organiser: Hi-Rez – Prize pool: N/A
The Kuala Lumpur Major Group Stage
It’s that time of year again. The time for DOTA 2 to kick off a new Major cycle with the first Major of 2018/19 season. Kuala Lumpur will play host to the Major, organised by PGL, eGG Network and ImbaTV.
Teams will include – Team Secret, Ninjas in Pyjamas and Alliance from Europe – Virtus.pro and Gambit Esports from the CIS region – PSG.LGD, Vici Gaming and Team Aster from China – Fnatic and TNC Predator from Southeast Asia – Evil Geniuses, Forward Gaming and J.Strom from North America – paiN Gaming and paiN X from South America and finally Tigers, another team from Southeast Asia who come to the event as DreamLeague S10 Winners.
Stream: PGL – Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Date: 9/11/18 at 3:00 CEST – Sponsors: – U Mobile, HyperX, KFC Delivery, Acer Predator, Intel – Organiser: PGL – Prize pool: $1m (£750,000) (Prize pool is for finals)
Intel Extreme Masters Season XIII – Chicago
Starting November 6th, IEM XIII Chicago will see some of the top talent in CS:GO battle it out for a share of the $250,000 (£190,000) prize pool. Two groups of eight will start the action off in a double elimination format. Winners of the group stage will advance to the Semifinals, whilst group stage runners-up will take a high seed slot in the quarterfinals. Third place teams will take quarterfinals low seed. The playoff stage will commence on November 9th – 11th.
IEM Chicago will feature 10 invited sides, comprised of Astralis, BIG, FaZe Clan, Fnatic, Team Liquid, MIBR, mousesports, Natus Vincere, NRG Esports and Renegades. The remaining six sides have all qualified for the event from their respective regional events – Team LDLC (GG.BET Shuffle), AVANGAR, North (Europe), eUnited (NA), MVP PK (Asia) and Luminosity Gaming (South America).
Stream: ESL – Location: Chicago, USA – Date: 6/11/18 at 19:00 CEST – Sponsors: – Intel, At&T, HyperX, Acer Predator, paysafecard, NEEDforSEAT, Betway – Organiser: ESL – Prize pool: $250,000 (£190,000)
That’s a wrap on this week’s picks, be sure to check back next Monday for another edition of the ESI weekly picks.
We want to feature at least one smaller event each week on the ESI weekly picks. If you want an event included in a future edition, send an email to [email protected].