With the early release of Halo Infinite’s multiplayer yesterday, the competitive esports division of the game is already gearing up. ESL Gaming announced that it will be one of the partnered tournament organizers delivering the brand new Halo Championship Series in 2021 and 2021. The competitions will be deliver through the ESL Australis and DreamHack brands in four different regions: Australia and New Zealand, North America, Mexico and Europe.
The following information was provided in the ESL press release:
- The DreamHack brand will produce the Regionals and Supers competitions in Europe
- The DreamHack brand will also host a North American competition on-site at DreamHack Anaheim, Feb. 11-13, 2022
- ESL Australia will operate the Regionals and Supers competitions in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ)
The HCS will be bigger than any previous Halo esports ecosystem, with a prize pool starting at $3 million. This number is expected to increase through crowdfunding.
As of today, players can purchase bundles for each the four regions that feature a nameplate, emblem, Sniper Rifle coating and a visor for 900 in-game credits. The bulk of the revenue will go to the associated tournament organizer for the HCS in that region.
“ESL Gaming deeply believes in the Halo community and we will, together with 343 Industries, invest in funding the holistic support of these regions so the local scene can grow and flourish over time,” SVP Game Management at ESL Gaming, Mike Van Driel, said. “This is a tremendous partnership and we are super excited to bring this experience to these communities, competitors and fans.”
The Halo Championship Series is a brand new esports league organized by 343 Industries for the release of Halo Infinite. The format is open entry, so players can make their way from the regional ladder to the global ladder. While many of the details surrounding the HCS are still in flux, the hand-off to tournament organizers like ESL marks a step towards a more defined structure.
The first event in the HSC is the Kickoff Major, slated to run from Dec. 17-19 at the Raleigh Convention Centre in Raleigh, North Carolina. It will be run by 343 and Esports Engine and will offer a $250,000 prize pool.
