When R1 million, or even R1,5 million isn’t enough, there’s a R2 million tournament for (South) Africa.
Kwesé has announced the ESL African Championship which will see Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Hearthstone featured in the R2 million (or $150,000 US) series.
The tournaments will be see a series of online qualifiers that will culminate in a grand final (featuring the top four per title) at rAge in October.
The initial dates for the online qualifiers for Hearthstone are as follows:
- 15 April
- 22 April
- 29 April
- 6 May
The dates for the online CS: GO qualifiers are on 23 April and 7 May 30 April.
This appears to only be the first series of dates with the second series of qualifiers “running from July to October.”
The CS:GO series is currently open only to South Africans but will expand to North Africa from July, while the Hearthstone is open to all players in Africa.
However, for the CS:GO players there is an additional requirement:
In order to compete competitively in CS:GO, players will need to have a paid-for ESEA subscription, but Kwesé has organised that potential champions get the subscription for free, for the duration of the tournament.
I have to ask how the “potential champions” will be determined, but that’s a question for another time.
Players can already start registering for the tournaments. Hearthstone players should head here, while CS:GO players can click the link here.
Prize pool and possible stream details are still to follow, but for now get signed up and ready.
**UPDATE**
Some indication of the prize pool is available via the two registration links above.
The Hearthstone tournament has a total prizepool of 6351 USD in the first Series.
The ESL African Championship presented by KWESE will feature the top 8 teams from South Africa with a prize pool of $31,640.
We assume that is per series with the same amount available in series two and additional cash up for grabs at the finals. We will however update this when it is confirmed.
**END OF UPDATE**
Now, while I can applaud growth, the concern now has to be where the prize pool amount will head to within the year. There has to be a ceiling. Chances are the ceiling and the (bursting) bubble are one and the same right now…
To keep updated on all things ESL Africa head here: Website | Facebook | Twitter
