Esports organizer ESL has created a mobile esports league called the ESL Mobile Open. Gamers will compete for a $330,000 yearly prize pool. AT&T was announced as the founding sponsor of the league in a press release on Monday.
The year-round league is open to amateur gamers, who will play through their smartphones. The first season kicks off Mar. 18., and will see gamers compete in three mobile gaming titles: PUBG Mobile, Clash of Clans, and Asphalt 9.
Most of the competition throughout each season will take place online via the ESL Play tournament platform, but the inaugural finals will be hosted at the DreamHack gaming festival in Dallas on May 31. The finals will also stream on Twitch and YouTube.
“We believe that mobile will provide the opportunity to bring the next generation of esports enthusiasts into the fold,” said Yvette Martinez-Rea, CEO at ESL Gaming North America, in a press release. “A first in the industry, ESL Mobile Open was developed to provide anyone with a phone access to compete at the highest levels with both established and emerging mobile esports titles.”
Top competitors in each title not only could win a portion of the $330,000 prize pool, but also have the chance to play on the same stage as professional esports players at select ESL-organized events throughout the year.
AT&T was announced as ESL North America’s official telecommunications and mobile gaming partner last June. This new mobile esports league is the first major initiative between the two organizations since then.
“Our sponsorship investments help us grow customer relationships by connecting with their passion for esports, and we’re looking forward to working with ESL to bring online mobile gameplay to our customers and any amateur gamers that want to get onboard with this new league,” said Shiz Suzuki, assistant VP of Sponsorships & Experiential Marketing for AT&T Communications.
SportTechie Takeaway
Mobile gaming is seen as a major potential growth sector for the esports industry, which is projected to surpass $1 billion in global revenue this year. As a mobile internet service provider, AT&T is a logical sponsor for a mobile esports league. OnePlus, a Chinese smartphone manufacturer, also entered the esports sponsorship space through its deal with Fnatic in January.