All of PGL’s upcoming events in 2022 will require players, staff and attendees to be fully vaccinated.
If you're a fan of PGL esports events and are hoping to visit an event next year, full vaccination will be compulsory according to PGL's CEO and Founder Silviu Stroie.
"I firmly believe the only way to bring back massive LAN esports events is to require complete vaccination of attending players, talent, staff, spectators. We will make this a requirement for all upcoming PGL events in 2022," said Silviu Stroie on Twitter.
His post comes a day after Valve announced on September 16th that The International 10 in Romania will go ahead with an audience, but that all attendees must wear masks and have proof they are fully vaccinated.
Valve's TI10 was originally planned to be held in Stockholm in August, but was rescheduled for October and moved to Bucharest to avoid visa issues. Meanwhile in League of Legends the World Championship 2021 was moved from China to Iceland.
Incorporating an audience into live esports events has become a struggle, not just in Dota 2. PGL's Stockholm Major in CS:GO set to take place on the 4th-7th November was shrouded in uncertainty for several months. Fortunately, recent changes to Swedish legislation on audiences have allowed the event to go ahead without a change of location.
Earlier today on September 17th, PGL Esports also confirmed that the PGL Stockholm Major will have an audience and will adhere to "Sweden's government regulations".
"I also think certain countries will start getting preferential treatment from TOs, based on local regulations around vaccine recognition, offering vaccines to players/talent, support for fast visa issuing etc."
National restrictions to play a major role not just for PGL Esports
National restrictions and requirements as a result of the pandemic are likely to play a major role in where LAN events take place in 2022 and possibly beyond. This was a point PGL's CEO Silviu Stroie mentioned on social media.
"I also think certain countries will start getting preferential treatment from TOs, based on local regulations around vaccine recognition, offering vaccines to players/talent, support for fast visa issuing etc..," added Silviu Stroie on LinkedIn.
This is almost certainty not the last we've heard of esports events being delayed or moved, but proof of vaccination could be on its way to becoming the norm if you wish to attend an event. PGL Esports are the first to confirm this as a requirement for their events in 2022, but others might follow. We will keep you updated on any new developments.
