ESL ESEA Dubai Invitational to kick off today

ESL ESEA Dubai Invitational is set to start today with the group stage matches.

ESL and ESEA have joined forces once again to host yet another big tournament for CS:GO. This time, the venue has been moved outside Europe and North America and is to be held in Dubai. The tournament is called the Dubai Invitational and with a $250,000 prize pool and some of the best teams in the world, it will surely be a real paradise to watch.

The tournament will take place at a video games expo from September 10-12, with Dubai International Marina Club acting as the venue. The format is similiar to the one which we saw at major tournaments, having group stage being played in GSL format and then the top two teams from each group advancing to the single elimination playoffs.

Here is a full schedule:

Thursday, 10^th September

11:15: Group A - EnVyUs vs. Cloud9
12:45: Group A - Virtus.pro vs. Ninjas in Pyjamas
14:00: Group B - Fnatic vs. Titan
15:15: Group B - Team SoloMid vs. Natus Vincere
16:30: Group A - winners match
18:05: Group A - elimination match
19:30: Group B - winners match
20:55: Group B - elimination match

Friday, 11^th September

09:45: Group A - decider match (BO3)
13:15: Group B - decider match (BO3)
Playoffs
16:30: Semi-final #1 - winner of group B vs. runner-up of group A
20:30: Semi-final #2 - winner of group A vs. runner-up of group B

Saturday, 12^th September
16:30: Grand final (BO5)

When it comes to commentating, already confirmed ESL talents line-up will be joined by Robin "Fifflaren" Johansson, Jason "moses" O'Toole and Halvor "vENdetta" Gulestøl, so the tourament won't lack in any aspect of the organisation and production.

The prize pool distribution:
1. $100,000
2. $60,000
3-4. $25,000
5-6. $12,500
7-8. $7,500