Despite the massive increase in the number of infections in Poland, ESL Gaming is still planning to attend the IEM Katowice Prestige tournament with an audience. "We have great concerns, but also great hopes," said ESLS co-CEO Ralf Reichert in an interview with the German Press Agency.

Due to the corona pandemic, the otherwise important trade fair part of the event has already been canceled. "The risk seems to be lower compared to other Covid variants in terms of how dangerous it is," Reichert said of the faster-spreading Omikron variant of the coronavirus.

IEM Katowice as full as approved

"We are preparing as best we can for the local hygiene regulations," said Reichert. "And we intend to make the arena as full as local regulations allow.»

As in Canada, the number of infections in Poland has recently increased sharply and, according to the World Health Organization WHO, at the end of January, the incidence was almost 900.

Important event for CS:GO and Starcraft 2

In 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic in Europe, IEM Katowice had to take place without an audience at short notice. Many fans had already arrived, but shortly before the opening, the local authorities put a stop to it.

The e-sports event in Poland is considered the largest event of the tournament organizer ESL and the end of the season for its tournament series. Traditionally, important competitions in Starcraft 2 and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive are held here. As a rule, the event takes place at the end of February.