Archive notice: This article was originally published on December 10, 2009. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
The 15th season of the ESL Pro Series, the German league for computer gamers, concludes on December 12 and 13 with the finals at Expo XXI in Cologne, according to the information provided. The 64 best German players from more than 2.2 million members of the Electronic Sports League (ESL) will compete for the German electronic-sports championship and EUR 130,000 in prize money. Over 15 match days, the league previously determined the best computer gamers in the team disciplines Counter-Strike, Counter-Strike: Source and FIFA 09, as well as the individual disciplines Warcraft 3 and Dawn of War 2.
Participants in the finals include Germany’s record eSport champion mousesports from Berlin in Counter-Strike, and Cologne local favourite n!faculty, accompanied by its own fan club. In Warcraft 3, serial champion Daniel “ixi” Spenst is competing for his fourth consecutive championship title.
Numerous themed areas await visitors in the Free Gaming Area. Racing simulators for blockbuster Need for Speed: Shift offer exciting time and team duels on the racetrack. The Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising boot camp invites visitors to exciting games and a tank race on a miniature course. In the real-time strategy game Dawn of War 2, the best participants in the Free-For-All tournament will be rewarded with attractive trophies. The jDome and forthcoming blockbuster StarCraft 2 will also provide entertainment away from the top matches at the ESL Pro Series Finals.
The varied supporting programme offers something for every visitor. Alongside the top matches on Sunday, band typ:t.u.r.b.o will create a good atmosphere for fans on stage. Further information is available at http://www.myspace.com/typturbo.
Turtle Entertainment expects 5,000 eSport fans to cheer and support their stars loudly. Players compete live on stage before an audience, while hosts and commentators guide viewers through the programme. IPTV channel ESL TV will broadcast the finals live throughout the weekend and offers a free and a paid stream at http://tv.esl.eu/.
“This is the fourth time the ESL Pro Series final has taken place at Expo XXI. We have found a good location here for the more than 5,000 expected visitors. We look forward to an exciting and entertaining weekend with fan chants and brilliant games. eSport is part of a major youth culture,” said Jens Hilgers, founder and Managing Director of Cologne-based ESL operator Turtle Entertainment.
The ESL Pro Series finals are the high point of the nationwide Intel Friday Night Game tour. This eSport stadium tour began in Dresden on August 7 and travelled through eight major German cities. An average of 1,200 spectators cheered their heroes on their way to the finals. The tour and league are supported by principal partner Intel and sponsors ASUS, BitDefender and Sennheiser. adidas, Sidewinder, Windows 7, Nokia, alugraphics and gamed!de were also involved in the 15th season.
The ESL Pro Series Finals in Cologne:
When:
Saturday, December 12, 2009, 13:00-00:00
Sunday, December 13, 2009, 11:45-18:00
A schedule for ESL Pro Series Finals 15 is available at http://www.turtle-entertainment.de/Dateien/Zeitplan_Finals_15.pdf
Where: Expo XXI, Gladbacher Wall 5, 50670 Cologne
Admission from age 16
Prices:
Prices for Premium users: Premium day ticket: EUR 5
Premium weekend ticket: EUR 8
Prices for regular visitors: day ticket: EUR 8
Weekend ticket: EUR 14
Highlights of the ESL Pro Series Finals
• 64 professional players and 5,000 expected visitors
• major stage show
• live performance by band typ:t.u.r.b.o
• on-air television production
• Free Gaming Area with tournaments for visitors
• autograph sessions and interviews with leading stars before a large photo wall
• recognition of the season’s best players at the ESL Pro Series Awards
Further links:
- More information
