RIYADH — Gamers Without Borders, an esports fundraiser for COVID-19 relief efforts, is gearing up for another epic showdown with Counter Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) confirmed as its fifth International Elite tournament. Gamers Without Borders has been created by the Saudi Arabian Federation for Electronic and Intellectual Sports (SAFEIS) to unite elite and amateur gamers from across the globe and donate to $10 million to COVID-19 supported charities. The three-day CS:GO series running from Friday (May 29) through Sunday (May 31) will welcome six of the best CS:GO teams competing online from around Europe, all battling it out to win a share of a massive $2 million charity prize fund, which they will then donate to an organization of their choice leading the global fight against COVID-19. The tournament will see the MR12 (Max Rounds 12) format used competitively in CG:GO for the first time in recent CS:GO gameplay. The exciting and faster format allows for more key rounds for the players and fans to enjoy from across the globe. The stellar European line-up includes 22-Time Esports champions FaZeClan and global powerhouse Fnatic, who were previously crowned esports Team of the Year Award in 2006 and 2009. Spanish Counter Strike giants G2Esports and joined by Ukrainian powerhouse Natus Vincere (Na’Vi), who were the first team in Counter-Strike history to win three top tournaments in one calendar year — IEM Season IV, ESWC 2010 and WCG 2010. The current line-up for Na’Vi also won this years’ IEM Katowice against G2Esports making a possible meeting between the pair all the more intriguing. Germany’s most successful esports team mousesports and Danish legends OG make up a highly competitive line-up. Up for grabs for the winning team and their chosen charities will be $750,000 first prize with the runner’s up receiving $500,000 to donate. Also taking place will be a North America show match (best of three, MR12 format) between premier esports outfits; Team Liquid and 100 Thieves with another $250,000 on offer to donate. Gamers Without Borders has been created by the Saudi Arabian Federation for Electronic and Intellectual Sports (SAFEIS). The International Elite events are supported by the world’s largest esports company, ESL, as technical partner who are providing the highest standard of experience to gamers and viewers alike. The $6.5 million of the event’s mammoth prize fund has already been won — all of which has been handed over to non-profit organizations, ranging from UNICEF, the International Medical Corps (IMC), International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance to the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief), Direct Relief and Norwegian Refugee Council. The schedule for weekend 5 is as follows: Europe: Friday May 29 – Quarter-Final 1 (18:00 CEST), Quarter-Final 2 (21:00 CEST); Saturday May 30 – Semi-Finals 1 (16:00 CEST), Semi-Finals 2 (19:00 CEST); Sunday May 31– Grand Final (19:00 CEST); North America: Saturday May 30 – Team Liquid v 100 Thieves (22:00 CEST). The broadcast feed will also be available in seven different languages, amongst them Arabic, English, Spanish, Portuguese and Mandarin, providing a truly localized experience to reach all gaming communities across the world. — SG