Intel World Open postponed until 2021

The official Intel Gaming Twitter account announced the postponement of the Intel World Open until 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Created as a tie-in event for the 2020 Summer Olympics, aka Tokyo 2020, it was only a matter of time before Intel World Open was postponed as well. The IOC announced its decision to move Tokyo 2020 to next year on March 24, but Intel provided no official update regarding its event at the time. Speaking to Ginx TV, a spokesperson did, however, comment that the company was still “committed to bringing Intel World Open to life.”

Intel World Open was supposed to hold its Grand Finals on the first day of Tokyo 2020, with Rocket League and Street Fighter V, the featured esports titles. The Street Fighter V qualifiers had even previously been moved to join Rocket League on May 2, but that was before the pandemic worsened.

Just like the Olympics, teams from around the world would have fought for the right to represent their nations at Intel World Open. A total prize pool of $500,000 was also to be split evenly between both games’ winners.

This development will most likely mean that the qualifier events will also be postponed until a later date.