What’s on this week? – Variety’s the spice of life – December 3rd – 10th

“What’s on this week?” is ESI’s weekly feature letting you know just what’s going on in the wonderful world of esports in the next seven days. Each week, ESI picks three events and provides a brief overview of what’s going down, where it’s taking place and how you can watch it.

Last week was all about DreamHack, with Rainbow Six, CSGO, Hearthstone and a whole lot more. We’ve waved goodbye to Sweden, as we head to Denmark, Russia & Las Vegas in this week’s roundup. First stop Odense, Denmark. Just a short trip from Sweden we have some CS:GO action with ESL Pro League. Russia will play host to some Dota 2 action, whilst CoD players are heading to the flashing lights of Las Vegas.

ESL Pro League Season 8: Finals

While we might be reaching the end of 2018, esports is beginning to slow. Just don’t let CS:GO know that because it still has plenty to give in 2018. We’re off to Odense, Denmark this week for the ESL Pro League Season 8 Finals. Two groups of eight will battle in an initial Bo1 with second series matches being Bo3. Playoffs will be Bo3 with the final being a Bo5.

16 teams from around the world will feature at the event, Astralis, Natus Vincere, BIG, HellRaisers, mouseports, North and G2 Esports (Europe) – MIBR, Ghost Gaming, Team Liquid, NRG Esports, Renegades, INTZ eSports (NA) Order (Oceania), ViCi Gaming (Asia) and Sharks Esports (SA). The line-up is stacked with some top sides looking to claim the crown. We’ve got a full preview of the event on last weeks Gambling Report.

Stream: ESL – Location: Odense, Denmark  – Date: 4/12-6/12 (Groups) 7/12-9/12 (Finals)  – Sponsors: Intel, TRTO, Vodafone, MSI, Logitech G, Betway, Mountain Dew, paysafecard and ESEA  – Organiser: ESL & ESEA  – Prize pool: $750,000 (£590,000)

MegaFon Winter Clash

Dota 2 Majors

Dota 2 is back on the menu, and while it’s not a Major, this Moscow invitational (one spot was obtained via a qualifier) features some of the best of Dota 2 – with teams fighting for $300,000 (£230,000). This event will see out 2018 Dota esports with a bang. Teams will be split into two groups of three with group winners’ will move directly to a Winners’ Finals, whilst losers’ will drop to their own bracket.

Natus Vincere, Team Secret and Virtus.Pro will take to group A with Forward Gaming, PSG.LGD and Team Liquid going into group B.

Stream: epicenter – Location: Crocus Expo, Moscow   – Date: 7/12 – 9/12  – Sponsors: MegaFon  – Organiser:  Epic Esports Events – Prize pool:  $300,000 (£230,000)

Call of Duty World League Las Vegas Open

Call of Duty World League

Last on the list is Call of Duty, the big World League series in Las Vegas. Featuring a massive Open Bracket of hopefuls from around the globe and some of the top talent in CoD esports, Las Vegas is set to shine.

With so many teams, we’ve highlighted the main bracket teams’ that are confirmed so far: 100 Thieves, Luminosity Gaming, FaZe, Splyce, Team Envy, Red Reserve, eUnited, OpTic Gaming, G2 Esports, Team Reciprocity, Lighting Pandas and Evil Geniuses. Four more sides will enter via Play-Ins with the final four slots going to teams’ via the Open Bracket.

Stream:  – Location: Las Vegas, USA  – Date: 7/12 – 9/12   – Sponsors: ASUS and Scuf Gaming  – Organiser: MLG, Activision and Treyarch  – Prize pool: $250,000 (£200,000)

That’s a wrap on this week’s picks, be sure to check back next week for another edition of the ESI weekly picks.

We want to feature at least one smaller event each week on the ESI weekly picks. If you want an event included in a future edition, send an email to [email protected].