Cover Image Courtesy: ESL Counter-Strike | Thumbnail Image Courtesy: ESL Gaming
Coronavirus has already hit CS:GO hard with IEM Katowice 2020 taking place without a live audience followed by the first phase of ESL Pro League Season 11 converting into an online regional qualifier, and the danger now seems to be looming upon the first CS:GO Major of 2020 i.e. ESL One: Rio 2020.
With the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) announcing yesterday that all national competitions would be suspended until further notice due to the coronavirus pandemic as reported by Lequipe, it might be an indication of what is to come in the future.
And though the Major is still more than two months away from its scheduled start i.e. 11th May, if more organizations and federations were to follow suit, it is likely that the Brazilian government would want the upcoming CS:GO Major to be postponed as well.
As this was an independent decision made by the organization and there was no direct order from the government of Brazil, chances are that if everything comes under control by the time the Rio Major is to start, there might not be any delays. But as of now, the chances for the Major taking place In Rio de Janeiro does not look too bright.
[Also Read: Valve cancels EPICENTER Major 2020 due to coronavirus pandemic]
The coronavirus outbreak which has hit more than 150 countries has left several governments implementing restrictions on social gatherings of any sort, and this has affected a lot of sporting events as well. Such lockdowns have had unprecedented implications on the esports industry, with almost all tournaments and leagues across various titles getting postponed, canceled, or played online. Let’s see if the CS:GO Major goes ahead as planned or not.
