The northernmost part of Germany is surfing the pioneering wave. The first official state championships in eSports will be hosted by the E-Sport-Verband Schleswig-Holstein (EVSH) in July
Since 2019, the state government in Schleswig-Holstein has been investing more in eSports infrastructure. In 2019 alone, half a million euros flowed into the development of facilities at club level and into the ‘Landeszentrum für eSport und Digitalisierung SH’ (LEZ SH) in Kiel.
Now the State e-Sports Association of Schleswig-Holstein, which was founded in June 2021, is starting its operations. The first publicly funded state centre in Germany is thus followed by another nationwide premiere.
Investment in young talent
On 3 July 2022, the final of the first official national championships will take place in the Holstenhallen Neumünster, Schleswig-Holstein as part of the Gamevention.
“After we have recently been significantly busy with the development of our association structures as well as the preparatory work for the state election in Schleswig-Holstein, we are now all the more excited to finally start playing,” says the project manager of the EVSH State Championships Daniela Stahl.
The Schleswig-Holstein Ministry of the Interior is providing 20,000 euros in funding for the event. Secretary of the Interior Kristina Herbst refers to the state’s support as the “epitome of promoting young talent”:
“With the state championships, Schleswig-Holstein’s eSportsmen and women are offered three professionally organised tournaments so that they can gain their first stage experience in their federal state and grow from it. “
Three state champions wanted
The national champions in FIFA 22, League of Legends (LoL) and Rocket League are being sought. The qualifying cups in LoL will start on 30 April. Rocket League and FIFA 22 will follow on 7 May and 15 May respectively.
Participation is open to clubs as well as individual players over 14 years of age residing in Schleswig-Holstein. If the players do not belong to a university group or club, two-thirds of the team must consist of players from Schleswig-Holstein.
A weekend at the boot camp of the LEZ SH in Kiel awaits the winning teams and players. Anyone who wants to become one of the first Schleswig-Holstein state champions in FIFA 22, Rocket League or LoL can register for the tournaments here.
