With ESL announcing that in-person CS: GO events are coming back in 2021 -- starting with Intel Extreme Masters Katowice in February. As with all things outdoors (or indoors in the case of esports) 2020 has seen the delay of most if not all major gaming events. As of writing, next year is looking a lot more stacked with the belated debut of Intel Extreme Masters Melbourne currently scheduled to take place from August 17-22, 2021.

A little premature to be announcing the ESL Pro Tour Counter Strike : Global Offensive (CS:GO) dates for 2021? Possibly, but it's a good reminder that normalcy in the form of watching digital terrorists and anti-terrorists fight it out is around the corner.

Here are the dates.

Intel Extreme Masters Katowice: Feb 16-28, 2021

ESL Pro League S13: March 17 - Apr 25, 2021

DreamHack Masters: June 3-13, 2021

ESL One Cologne powered by Intel®: July 6-18, 2021

Intel Extreme Masters Melbourne: August 17-22, 2021*

ESL Pro League S14: September 1 - Oct 10, 2021

Intel Extreme Masters: October 14-24,2021

Intel Extreme Masters: December 2-12, 2021

Interestingly Melbourne is the only entry with an asterisks, with the note "based on the tournament break planning for 2021" added. As a city with some of the toughest lock-down restrictions in the world, odds are ESL is currently looking into the logistics around the 2021 event. Which could be the largest esports showing in Australia to date.

Regardless of how things shape up the 2021 schedule has been designed to minimise movement, fewer games, and a more weekend focus for matches. Also, a new "state-of-the-art studio specifically designed to comply with COVID-safety measures" will serve as a hub for all the action outside of ESL Pro Tour events.

"The new vision of ESL Pro Tour CS:GO is part of our ongoing mission to place players and fans at the centre of the esports experience," said Ulrich Schulze, Senior Vice President Product at ESL. "The time between the game weekends will now be used to create content specific to the players who make the playoffs meaning, while teams prepare their tactics, ESL will create new trailers, interviews and tactical analysis tailor-made to every match-up at the weekend. With this new format, ESL Pro Tour will bring players and fans alike closer to the action."