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ESL Gaming announces CS:GO’s first women circuit, #GGForAll program

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The ESL has revealed plans for a new women’s CS:GO circuit that will take place in 2022 The circuit will comprise two online league seasons with LAN finals, multiple online cash cups, and a standalone event at DreamHack Valencia, with a total prize fund of $500,000. The new circuit is the first part of the #GGForAll project.

What is #GGForAll?

GGForAll is a project dedicated to making gaming and esports an inclusive, respectful, and all-empowering environment, based on the belief that “it is not a GG (Good Game) until it is GG for all.”

This program will include several CSR initiatives to reduce the company’s environmental impact and to aid in the establishment of an inclusive gaming community free of discrimination, verbal abuse, and bullying, match manipulation, and many more.

“By providing an infrastructure equal to their male counterparts, we are thrilled to create more visibility and opportunities for women in the esports space, as well as to support them in their professional development and to help make their dreams come true,” said Roberta Hernandez, SVP People and Culture at ESL Gaming.

Additionally, the ESL has committed to establishing a women’s council. A consolidated platform for providing feedback to ESL Gaming and other tournament organizers will be established through the council to help develop the CS:GO environment for women.

Last but not least, ESL is dedicated to increasing the representation of women within their company and within the broadcasting industry. The company plans to introduce a “talent development program” to equip aspiring talent with the skills and tools needed to succeed. As part of the program, participants will also have the opportunity to cast ESL competitions.

Leagues, Festivals, and Cash Cup

In Europe and North America, two regional leagues, each with eight teams, will compete for a prize pool of $150,000. Dream Hack Dallas (June 305, 2022) and Dream Hack Winter (November 25-27, 2022) will feature the three best teams from both regions, as well as a South American and an Asian-Pacific team from the open qualifiers.

Furthermore, the DreamHack festivals will have standalone events that feature eight teams from all four regions battling for a $100,000 prize pool, which is the same amount as the ESL Pro Tour’s Challenger events. DreamHack Valencia will host the first event on July 1-3, 2022

ESL Cash Cup competitions for women’s teams will be added to ESEA in January 2022 The addition offers teams with a full female roster the option to participate twice a month for a share of a $4,000 prize pool, which will be split evenly between the Asian-Pacific, European, North American, and South American regions.

“At ESL Gaming we truly believe in a world where everybody can be somebody, so going back to the grassroots level and creating an all-new ecosystem to ensure ambitious women CSGO players are given equal chances is a great step forward,” a joint statement by Brian Krämer, general manager for CSGO at ESL Gaming, and Charlie Sirc, product manager at ESL Gaming.

“With a great line-up of events for next year already, we are super excited to develop this new product further in 2022 and beyond.”