Archive notice: This article was originally published on January 23, 2008. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
The twelfth season of the ESL Pro Series, the Bundesliga of eSports, begins on February 22, 2008 at Congress Center Frankfurt. At this event, organiser Turtle Entertainment and its partners will once again give the starting signal for the competition among Germany’s best eSports players. With €170,000, Turtle Entertainment holds the prize-money record: the ESL Pro Series is the highest-paying electronic-sports competition in Germany. Mannheim and Bremen are also included as venues for the first time.
The Intel Friday Night Games are held ten times per season in cities that change weekly. At every event, the ESL presents the top matches in the respective disciplines live before audiences of up to 2,000. Professional presenters comment on and analyse the encounters. The events are supplemented by autograph sessions and various partner stands. The in-house eSports channel ESL TV (available via IPTV) broadcasts the season’s Intel Friday Night Games live on the internet. The ESL Pro Series reaches its climax with the three-day finals in June, for which more than 5,000 spectators are expected.
“The last season proved that eSports is established as a spectator event in Germany. We are now also going to medium-sized cities such as Mannheim and Bremen to celebrate eSports live at the Intel Friday Night Games,” says Ibrahim Mazari (33), press spokesman for Cologne-based league operator Turtle Entertainment, adding: “A very exciting innovation for spectators is that the players will no longer play in separate rooms, but live on stage. Visitors can therefore get up close to their idols and really cheer them on, as in other sports.”
Bundesliga roadshow – Intel Friday Night Games dates
Intel Friday Night Game #1 22.02.08 Frankfurt – Congress Center Frankfurt
Intel Friday Night Game #2 28.03.08 Cologne – Tanzbrunnen
Intel Friday Night Game #3 11.04.08 Mannheim – Maimarktclub
Intel Friday Night Game #4 18.04.08 Berlin – Postbahnhof
Intel Friday Night Game #5 25.04.08 Bremen – Maritim Hotel
Intel Friday Night Game #6 02.05.08 Bochum – Ruhrcongress
Intel Friday Night Game #7 09.05.08 Stuttgart – Liederhalle
Intel Friday Night Game #8 16.05.08 Munich – Tonhalle
Intel Friday Night Game #9 23.05.08 Dortmund – Westfalenhallen
Intel Friday Night Game #10 30.05.08 Hamburg – CCH
ESL Pro Series Finals 06. – 08.06.08 Cologne
