PGL has been selected as the organizer for the first CS:GO Major in 2022. The major will be held in Antwerp, Belgium, from May 9-22 and will have the doors open for spectators during the playoffs.
BELGIUM — After hosting the Stockholm Major last year, PGL has been picked once again to host the first CS:GO Major this year, PGL Major Antwerp 2022, in Belgium. This is the second consecutive CS:GO Major for the Romania-based tournament organizer after the 2021 Stockholm Major, and the third in the company’s history, having previously hosted the 2017 PGL Major Krakow.
It will be the fifth consecutive Major held in Europe after FACEIT London (2018), IEM Katowice (2019), StarLadder Berlin (2019), and PGL Stockholm (2021).
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Belgium was chosen as the first and final location for the upcoming CS:GO Major due to it being situated in the heart of Europe. “The approachable destinations” for fans in Europe, as well as the support of the local authorities, are some of the points behind the decision to allow Belgium to host CS:GO’s most prestigious competition this year. In recent years, Charleroi Esports 2019 was the most high-profile tournament held in the Benelux country.
Silviu Stroie, CEO of PGL, spoke in a release: “We are glad to have the opportunity to bring back the fans and players together for another CS:GO Major. Belgium has an impressive Counter-Strike fanbase, and many legendary players were born in this country. We are ready to offer an incredible experience for the fans inside the arena and the passionate viewers at home.
The two-week-long tournament will culminate in playoffs held at the Antwerp Sportspaleis Arena. The Brussels airport is located about 30 minutes from the Antwerps Sportpaleis, ensuring that fans have the most straightforward possible access to the venue.
The Arena is most well-known for hosting numerous musical concerts and sports events, including the 2019 FIBA Basketball Champions League Final Four. The 18,000-capacity facility will be packed with fans, reviving the frenetic atmosphere of LANs. PGL has announced that they would closely monitor the worldwide pandemic’s development over the next few months. Moreover, they are ready to adjust their plans to ensure that the competition run smoothly yet safely.
Bart De Wever, Mayor of Antwerp, commented: “We are very excited to see this top-tier esports championship happening in Antwerp. The CS:GO Majors have millions of viewers, and tens of thousands of fans will visit our city to attend the matches. It is also the first time this tournament will take place in Belgium or the Netherlands. It puts Antwerp on the map internationally as a hot spot for esports, an immensely interesting and fast-developing sector.”
(Photo courtesy of PGL)
It is expected that PGL will announce more details on the Regional Major Ranking qualifier events for the Major in the coming weeks. Additionally, PGL will be supported by Belgian esports production company META for the event.
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Cover photo courtesy of PGL
