Esports tournament organisers are cancelling more and more live events due to fears around the coronavirus.
As the outbreak continues to spread, events around the world are being cancelled or delayed, or held online, and the esports industry is no exception.
Over the past month or so, we’ve seen the likes of the Overwatch League cancel matches in China, PUBG Corp push back their Berlin event due to the virus, as well as the suspension of League of Legends Champions Korea.
The biggest story in esports around the coronavirus was arguably Intel Extreme Masters taking place behind closed doors in Katowice, Poland, with visitors unable to enter the Spodek Arena. This vlog by esports journalist Su Collins provides some good insight into the event and what it was like taking place without a live audience.
The Chinese League of Legends LPL also switched from a live studio format to online only. Last month, LPL English esports casters Munchables, Hysterics and others flew home from China due to coronavirus fears.
Some including Munchables have now flown back, but will be in quarantine for two weeks as the format switches to online.
Now, more events are being cancelled or delayed as organisers prioritise the safety of their staff, fans and guests.
TwitchCon Europe, which was due to take place in Amsterdam on May 2nd and 3rd, has been cancelled, as has the LEC League of Legends spring finals live event which was due to take place in April in Budapest.
The Rocket League World Championships have also been cancelled over conerns around the coronavirus. The coronavirus is also affecting wider games industry events.
“We have been monitoring coronavirus concerns and having weighed the potential health risks to our community, we’ve made the incredibly difficult decision to cancel TwitchCon Amsterdam,” said Twitch in this statement.
“To say we’re disappointed you won’t be able to enjoy the show we’ve been building for you is a massive understatement. But the health and safety of our community, employees, and everyone else who has a part in making TwitchCon happen is, as always, our top priority.
“Our sympathies to all those affected around the world.”
Other events like Insomnia, meanwhile, are going ahead as usual. Though the organisers did put out an update:
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Dom is an award-winning writer who graduated from Bournemouth University with a 2:1 degree in Multi-Media Journalism in 2007.
A keen League of Legends and World of Warcraft player, he has written for a range of publications including GamesTM, Nintendo Official Magazine, industry publication MCV as well as Riot Games and others. He works as full-time content director for the British Esports Association and runs ENUK in his spare time.
