eSports in Cinema Continues With ‘ESL One Cologne Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Finals Live’ Sunday, August 23
Fathom Events, in association with ESL and BY Experience, Brings the Highly-Anticipated eSports Finals from the LANXESS arena in Cologne, Germany to Cinema Screens Nationwide
DENVER – July 27, 2015 –The finals of the world’s largest Counter-Strike tournament in the world, ESL One Cologne, is coming to U.S. cinemas on August 23 at 12:55pm ET / 11:55am CT / 10:55am MT / 9:55am PT. The Fathom Events ESL One Cologne Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Finals Live screening will bring cinema audiences all the finals action live from the LANXESS arena in Cologne, Germany. Fans in the cinema can join the roaring crowd as eight of the best teams in the world go head-to-head in playoff competition. YouTube sensation and eSports personality, Soe “Soembie” Gschwind-Penksi, will host the event, guiding fans through the finals broadcast while providing a backstage insider’s view as the players prepare for their matches. The broadcast for cinema, presented by Fathom Events and BY Experience, will include highlights of the week-long tournament, leading up to the live final.
Tickets for the ESL One Cologne live finals screening can be purchased online by visiting www.FathomEvents.com, or at participating theater box offices. Fans throughout the U.S. will be able to enjoy the event in select movie theaters through Fathom’s Digital Broadcast Network. For a complete list of theater locations visit the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).
The world’s largest Counter-Strike: Global Offensive tournament will host players from around the world who will fight to lift the ESL One trophy, gain the prestigious title of ESL One Champion and earn their share of the US$250,000 prize pool. eSports fans won’t want to miss out on this chance to support their favorite team on their path to winning. The trophy is currently held by Fnatic, who won the trophy at ESL One Katowice 2015.
“The demand for eSports events continues to grow around the world,” said Fathom Events CEO John Rubey. “We are proud to join BY Experience and ESL in pioneering a new viewing option for eSports fans domestically.”
“The big screen is where live gaming events belong,” says Julie Borchard-Young, co-President of BY Experience. “With millions of fans globally, Counter Strike: Global Offensive will excite and inspire like-minded fans to get together in their local cinemas, to experience the live action up close, in a communal manner.”
About Fathom Events
Fathom Events is the recognized leader in the alternative entertainment industry, offering a variety of one-of-a-kind entertainment events in movie theaters nationwide that include live, high-definition performances of the Metropolitan Opera, the performing arts, major sporting events, music concerts, comedy series, Broadway shows, original programming featuring entertainment’s biggest stars, socially relevant documentaries with audience Q&A and much more. Fathom Events takes audiences behind-the-scenes and offers unique extras, creating the ultimate entertainment experience. It is owned by a consortium called AC JV, LLC., comprised of AMC Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: AMC), Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK) and Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC), the three largest movie theater circuits in the United States. In addition, Fathom Events’ live digital broadcast network (“DBN”) is the largest cinema broadcast network in North America, bringing live events to 820 locations in 177 Designated Market Areas® (including all of the top 50). For more information, visit www.fathomevents.com.
About BY Experience
BY Experience kicked off the digital revolution of live events to movie theaters and other locations globally with David Bowie’s 2003 Reality album launch and since then, over 22 million tickets have been sold worldwide for cinema events BY Experience has distributed globally. Current cinema series credits: Distribution Representative, The Met: Live in HD (Worldwide; since 2006), the U.K.’s National Theatre Live (Ex-UK; since 2009), Bolshoi Ballet (North America; since 2014), and Cast Party (Executive Producer for Cinema, July 2015). Additionally, BY Experience has executive produced and/or distributed several diverse programs for cinema including numerous rock concerts, radio programs, fine art exhibits, and other special content events. BY Experience distributes to over 60 countries, to over 2,000 movie screens. www.byexperience.net.
About ESL
ESL is the world’s largest esports company, leading the industry across various games with numerous online and offline competitions. It operates high profile, branded international and national leagues and tournaments such as the Intel® Extreme Masters, ESL One, ESL National Championships, StarCraft® II World Championship Series, as well as grassroots amateur cups, leagues and matchmaking systems. ESL covers a broad field of services in gaming technology, event management, advertising and TV production, fully catering to the needs of the esport’s ecosystem. With offices in Germany, Russia, France, Poland, Spain, China, North America and partners in many other countries, it has a truly global footprint. www.eslgaming.com
ESL One
In ESL One, teams and players from all over the world compete in an eSports tournament unlike any other. Featuring the games Dota 2, Counter-Strike Global Offensive and Battlefield 4, ESL One gives out hundreds of thousands in prize money every year. With events taking place in sports stadiums all over the world, it puts the players in front of enthusiastic audiences, cheering them on in their attempt to secure the one trophy and the glory that comes with it (www.esl-one.com).
