ESL UK and CinEvents have teamed up to broadcast the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive finals from IEM Katowice at 13 cinemas across the UK.
The event, taking place on 4 March, will be broadcast live from Poland’s Spodek Arena, where an audience of 173,000 will already be crammed in to see 16 of the world’s best CS:GO teams facing off for a chunk of $500,000, with the winning team taking home $250,000.
Those attending will also be shown a behind the scenes video from ESL and IEM, with competitions and giveaways for fans attending the events in the cinema.
“IEM Katowice is one of the largest esports tournaments in the world, so there is no better place to watch in the UK than on the big screen,” said James Dean, UK managing director at ESL, in a press release.
“We want to give more fans the opportunity to experience the CS:GO Finals with the exciting, pulse-pounding spectacle of the Spodek Arena. Cinema screenings are a great way to offer that experience.”
“The cinema provides an excellent way for esports fans to experience the thrill of a live event in a venue with surround sound and stadium seating,” said Joe Evea, founder, CinEvents. “For many who are unable to attend the live event itself, cinemas represents a local, accessible and affordable way to spend a memorable evening, sharing the esports experience with like-minded fans.”
The 13 cinemas taking part in the screenings are below:
Birmingham Vue
Bolton Light Cinema
Bristol Longwell Vue
Edinburgh Ocean Vue
Leeds Light Vue
Leicester Vue
Manchester Lowery Vue
New Brighton Light Cinema
Sheffield Light Cinema
Shepherd’s Bush Vue
Stockport Light Cinema
Swansea Vue
Walsall Light Cinema