The WePlay Esports media holding company and leading world Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) organizations have announced the WePlay Academy League. The new circuit is aiming to shape the standards for the CS:GO industry in fostering new talents.
With the support of top CS:GO teams, the up-and-coming players will have an opportunity to get closer to the professional esports scene and gain first-hand competitive experience.
The WePlay Academy League Season 1 begins with an online round-robin Group Stage, where the teams meet each other twice. The three strongest teams advance to the double-elimination Playoffs that will take place at the WePlay Esports Arena Kyiv. The team that takes eighth place is eliminated. The remaining four enter the Gauntlet stage to fight for the remaining slot in the Playoffs. The total prize pool of the CS:GO league Season 1 is $100,000.
To participate in the tournament, the players and teams must fit a list of requirements. Each team will consist of at least four players aged between 16 and 20.
Participating teams:
- NAVI Junior
- Young Ninjas
- mouz NXT
- BIG. OMEN Academy
- Astralis Talent
- VP.Prodigy
- Fnatic Rising
- FURIA Academy
Event schedule:
- Group Stage — July 19 – August 01, 2021 (possible tie-breaker matches will take place on August 03)
- Gauntlet Stage — August 07–08, 2021
- Playoffs — August 27–29, 2021
“The WePlay Academy League is a perfect breeding ground for daring CS:GO talent who are willing to challenge the status quo. With the new regular event circuit, the up-and-comers will be able to hone their skill and potentially get picked for the main roster. Many future CS:GO world champions will look back at the WePlay Academy League as the first event in which they got real on-stage experience,” says Eugene Shepelev, lead esports manager at WePlay Esports.