ESL: Creating the ultimate esports event

As host of the world’s largest esports tournament, the Intel Extreme Masters, ESL not only set the standard for esports competitions but also placed a city in the south of Poland into every competitive gamers’ consciousness. 

Learn what goes into the planning and running of the event as ESL co-founder and co-CEO Ralf Reichert explains how the business became the leading esports event producer. 

Reichert admits the business was ahead of its time, founded in 2000 – and even jokes that if he could do it all again, he would establish ESL 10 years later – but built gradually from online tournaments to the sort of live shows that pack stadiums. 

“It’s a mixture of luck, the right people with the right mindsets, relentless hard work and a little bit of humility, and last but not least a long-term focus,” he says.

ESL not only set the standard for esports competitions but also placed a city in southern Poland into every competitive gamer’s consciousness.