Counter: Strike: Global Offensive has officially returned to LAN, as the game’s second consecutive major event to be hosted by PGL will be heading to Belgium in 2022.
When live play returned to CSGO after many months away, it broke several viewership records in CSGO’s long history. The memorable PGL Stockholm major had fans wanting more, and the organizer seems to have listened. PGL has announced 2022’s first CSGO major will take place in Belgium between May 9 and May 22.
The online era of CSGO shelved all majors planned for 2020 and early 2021. The cancellation of events created wild hype around the later PGL Stockholm major, helping it to become the most-watched major in CSGO history. Despite some broadcast issues, fans tuned in to watch their favorite teams lock horns inside a packed arena. The organizer aims to bring that same live energy back at PGL CSGO Major Antwerp 2022.
“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,” PGL CEO Silviu Stroie said.
The next CSGO Major tournament in 2022 will organized by PGL and will take place from May 9 to May 22 in Antwerp, Belgium.
The hope to find one of the most approachable destinations was why Belgium was picked as the final location for major. Due to Antwerp being a central location in Europe, a heavy crowd should be expected at 2022’s first major CSGO event. The organizer has revealed that fans will have the chance to purchase tickets for the playoffs and cheer on their favorite teams and players. The competition is set to be played offline with an in-house audience. However, PGL has a “close eye” on developing travel restrictions around the globe, so nothing is yet set in stone.
According to HLTV, the RMR (regional major ranking) tournaments will also be played offline. RMR LAN events will filter out the best teams in Europe, CIS, North America, South America, and Asia-Oceania. All of this will lead to hot competition at Belgium’s first CSGO major. The winners will share prize money of $1 million, which has been reduced from the previous top prize of $2 million.
Fans had expected the 2022 major to be hosted by ESL in Brazil, but this news indeed comes as a pleasant surprise to many even as others may be disappointed. Belgium’s central location in Europe will ensure a full event, something CSGO’s scene very much needs. Those rooting for Brazil and ESL should still keep their fingers crossed, as Valve aims to host two majors in 2022. Details and venues for the next major are still unknown.
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