ESL update Cologne qualification system due to coronavirus pandemic

ESL has changed up the qualification system for ESL One Cologne due to health concerns regarding the coronavirus pandemic.

Forced to change the competitive CS:GO scene quite a bit due to COVID-19, ESL Pro League was split into two divisions representing North America and Europe. DreamHack Masters Jönköping has also adopted an online format that is divided into four regions instead.

As a result of these changes, ESL One Cologne will not be inviting the top 16 teams in the ESL Pro Tour but will instead send invites based on the strength of each region. The number of spots every region will receive is as follows:

ESL One Cologne Final 16

• Europe: 6

• North America: 2

ESL One Cologne Play-In

• Asia: 1

• Europe: 3

• North America: 3

• Oceania: 1

Eight other teams will join those invited to the Play-In stage. However, the manner of selection hasn't been revealed yet.  

The ESL Pro Tour points teams have already accumulated will be retained. Furthermore, teams can earn additional points from events like ESL Pro League, DreamHack Masters Spring, and ESL One: Road to Rio to secure qualification in this year's CS:GO Major. The ESL Pro Tour ranking can be found on ESL's website here.

ESL One Cologne will take place at the Lanxess-Arena from July 6-12, featuring a $1 million prize pool.