Valve has now confirmed that the second CS:GO Major of 2019 will be StarLadder Berlin 2019. The event will be held in the Mercedes Benz-Arena in Berlin, Germany. Minors will start in July, whereas the Major will run from August 20th to September 8th. Here’s more on the second CS:GO major of 2019.
Second CS:GO Major of 2019 – StarLadder Berlin 2019 Date
News of StarLadder Berlin 2019 has been going around for a couple of weeks now. Shortly before IEM Katowice 2019, a report from dexerto claimed that StarLadder Berlin would soon be announced.
StarLadder Berlin is now official, as Valve made a blog to announce the event and dates. The StarLadder Berlin 2019 dates are as follows:
July 17-21 – Europe & Americas Minors
July 24-28 – CIS & Asia Minors
29 July – Minor Play-in
August 20-25 – Challengers Stage
August 27-September 1 – Legends Stage
September 5-8 – Champions Stage
It will be the first ever CS:GO Major StarLadder host. However, the organization has hosted many CS:GO events in the past. They also recently hosted the Dota 2 Chongqing Major.
Players React to StarLadder Berlin 2018 Dates
With StarLadder Berlin 2019 taking place over the summer, pro players won’t get much of a break from playing.
Since 2017, CS:GO pros agreed on a summer player break throughout August. This gives players the chance to recuperate after months of hard work and events.
With the Major starting on August 20th, players won’t have much of a chance to enjoy the player break. Chances are, most teams will still need to boot camp for the Major.
Mousesports player sunNy responded to the StarLadder Berlin 2019 dates on Twitter.
Its incredibly stupid to host major right after the players break. Instantly triggered just by even reading this. After 8 months of a season, players have the first official break from tournaments and practice. Why you would host tournament right after it, like literally next day
— Miikka (@suNnycsgo) February 18, 2019
The Counter-Strike Professional Players Association also expressed disappointment.
The CSPPA is as disappointed as the CS players are to hear that the dates of the next CS Major fall right after the player break. In our meeting with Valve at the Major in London, we made it clear the players feel the Major should always be held mid season or end of season.
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— Counter-Strike Professional Players' Association (@CSPPAgg) February 18, 2019
There are also concerns as to whether some of the younger players will be able to play. As neL noted, unique Germany laws may make it difficult for players under 18 such as sergej and Brollan.
Last weekend a french player was kicked from @DreamhackDE because he was 16, apparently a german law. Will sergej, brollan and others be kicked from that event too? https://t.co/CNK1t02fBh
— neL (@neLendirekt) February 18, 2019
