The organizers took to their Twitter page to break the news. They also clarified that it does not mean the tournament has been shut down, stating that it is only on pause.
“Sadly, due to financial issues, we won��t be able to make Copenhagen Games 2023 happen,” the organizers said.
“This doesn��t mean that we are shut down permanently, but are on pause for the time being. We will continue to fight for the event, but only time can tell if it will happen.”
The decision comes just three months before the tournament was scheduled to take place. This marks the third time in a row that the event has been cancelled since the last staging of the event, back in 2019. The 2020 edition of the tournament was called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and efforts to bring it back in 2022 were unsuccessful as a result of financial constraints and insufficient support from sponsors.
The main reason cited for the postponement of the 2023 tournament is the inability of the organizers to secure enough commercial and financial support from sponsors and exhibitors. The ongoing economic crisis, the after-effects of the coronavirus pandemic, and increased competition in the gaming industry are cited as the key factors.
The organizers, a small team with a passion for organizing esports, expressed disappointment in their statement.
“We have tried to get Copenhagen Games 2023 up and running, but unfortunately we have to throw in the towel now,” they said.
“There still is a huge interest from players all over the world for the event, and the City of Copenhagen is still supporting the event financially. But unfortunately it has not been possible to find enough commercial support for the event.
“The reason is a combination of after-effects of corona, the current economic crisis and increased competition. We are a very small organisation, that have been struggling with esports for many years, mostly because we have a very strong passion for organizing esport.”
The Copenhagen Games have been an important event in the esports calendar, acting as a proving ground for Danish and international talent. The tournament usually begins with a BYOC (Bring Your Own Computer) competition where players from around the world compete for the opportunity to participate in the main tournament, which offers tens of thousands of dollars in prizemoney.
The cancellation of the Copenhagen Games is a significant blow to the esports community in Denmark, which has been eagerly awaiting the return of the event. The tournament has been running since 2010, providing an important platform for players and teams to showcase their skills and compete for large prizes.
Over the years, the tournament has witnessed some of the best talent in the industry, including Gambit Youngsters, Imperial, Heroic, and Sprout, with the 2019 event being won by the Russian team forZe. The postponement is a reflection of the challenging times faced by the esports industry, with the ongoing pandemic and economic crisis taking their toll on many events.
Despite the setbacks, the organizers remain hopeful about the future of the tournament. They expressed gratitude for the continued support from the City of Copenhagen and the huge interest from players worldwide. They emphasized that their passion for organizing esports events remains strong and they will strive to bring back the tournament in the future.
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