ESL Impact axes all-female Counter-Strike competition citing monetary reasons

Electronic Sports League (ESL) says financial reasons are behind the axing of their all-female Counter-Strike ESL Impact Circuit. 

The esports promoter said they were calling time on the ESL Impact Circuit, which has significantly increased the visibility of female participation in Counter-Strike, because they could not find a financial model that worked. 

“We have made the incredibly difficult decision to suspend the ESL Impact Circuit at the end of season 8,” ESL Impact said in a statement. 

“Despite significant investment the current economic model is simply not sustainable.”

ESL was sold to Savvy Gaming Group in a $1.5billion acquisition in 2022, with this company owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and continues the middle-eastern country’s push into popular culture, like esports.

Saudi’s Public Investment Fund also lead the consortium that purchased EA Sports last week. 

The players reaction to the new ownership axing the ESL Impact Circuit has been disappointment, but circumspect in their criticism of the decision, given the huge amounts of money the PIF is pouring into esports. 

MIBR released a joint statement from several of their leading players titled “Women’s CS cannot stop”. 

“The announcement of the end of ESL Impact, the leading global women’s CS competition, is a heavy blow to thousands of athletes, teams, fans and everyone who believes in a more inclusive esports ecosystem,” 

“Since 2010, when we were one of the very first organisations in the world to invest in a women’s roster, MiBR has carried the responsibility of defending this space and fighting for more opportunities.” 

The ESL Impact League is now due to wind up at the end of the year, with the final live event scheduled for Stockholm from November 28-30, with $123,000 USD for grabs.