The 13th season of the ESL Pro Series esports Bundesliga begins at Games Convention in Leipzig on 22 August 2008. At the ESL Intel Arena, Turtle Entertainment will launch the competition among Germany’s leading esports players. With €165,000 in prize money, the ESL Pro Series is Germany’s highest-paying electronic-sports competition. Intel Friday Night Games present the leading esports players live before an audience. Hanover joins the esports stadium tour for the first time, and ASUS is participating as a new principal sponsor of the ESL Pro Series.
Intel Friday Night Games are held ten times per season in a different city each week. At every event, ESL presents the leading matches in each discipline live before audiences of up to 2,000. Professional commentators describe and analyse the matches. Autograph sessions and various partner stands complement the events. ESL’s own esports channel, ESL TV, available via IPTV at http://tv.esl.eu, will broadcast the season’s Intel Friday Night Games live. The ESL Pro Series culminates in the December finals weekend at Expo XXI in Cologne, where more than 5,000 spectators are expected.
“The previous season proves that esports is established as a spectator event in Germany. By adding Hanover, we are placing another city on Germany’s esports map,” said Ibrahim Mazari, 34, press spokesperson for Cologne league operator Turtle Entertainment. “Fan buses bring visitors to the esports arenas and close to their idols. More than 16,000 visitors supported the players during the previous season.”
Bundesliga Roadshow — Intel Friday Night Games Dates
Intel Friday Night Game #1 — 22 August 2008, Leipzig, Games Convention
Intel Friday Night Game #2 — 5 September 2008, Oberhausen, Luise-Albertz-Halle
Intel Friday Night Game #3 — 12 September 2008, Munich, Tonhalle
Intel Friday Night Game #4 — 19 September 2008, Bremen, Maritim Hotel
Intel Friday Night Game #5 — 10 October 2008, Cologne, Tanzbrunnen
Intel Friday Night Game #6 — 17 October 2008, Stuttgart, Liederhalle
Intel Friday Night Game #7 — 24 October 2008, Hamburg, CCH
Intel Friday Night Game #8 — 31 October 2008, Berlin, Postbahnhof
Intel Friday Night Game #9 — 14 November 2008, Hanover, Star Event Center
Intel Friday Night Game #10 — 28 November 2008, Bochum, RuhrCongress
ESL Pro Series Finals XIII — 5–8 December 2008, Cologne, Expo XXI
