SK and VP invited to ESL One Cologne

The first two teams for ESL One Cologne 2017 have been announced, with SK and Virtus.pro confirming they will attend the event in July.

ESL revealed the first invites for ESL One Cologne, with last year's winners SK and the Polish powerhouse Virtus.pro the first to be added to the list of attending teams.


FalleN lifted the trophy in Cologne last year

The tournament will take place in July, with the playoffs being held in the LANXESS Arena on July 7-9. A total of 16 teams will compete at the tournament, with 10 more to be invited and four earning their spot through qualifiers.

The following teams are now confirmed for ESL One Cologne 2017:

Poland Virtus.pro  Brazil SK

Professeur writes for HLTV.org and can be found on Twitter.

nice major
2017-03-27 18:20
33 replies
#19
- | 
Spain xsilentt
secondo
2017-03-27 18:19
19 replies
#63
 | 
Germany AdiZen
RiP ESL ONE COLOGNE MAJOR :(
2017-03-27 18:29
18 replies
saving strats for major ?
2017-03-27 18:36
#81
 | 
United States jekl
No, esl is shit tier, glad they got fucked. Sorry for you Germans that esl has Cologne, maybe a good company can get it LUL
2017-03-27 18:50
16 replies
#85
 | 
Germany AdiZen
yes i dont like esl too but thats the only tournament we have here in germany you fags in america have like every tournament there
2017-03-27 18:54
15 replies
Because the German cs scene is a big joke compared to NA
2017-03-27 19:03
14 replies
What a joke… Being a big joke compared to NA must be painfull
2017-03-27 19:19
10 replies
Success of German teams 2016 < Success of NA teams 2016 so yes
2017-03-27 19:21
8 replies
#124
Phoey | 
Denmark Phoey
By that fact lets play all majors in Denmark.
2017-03-27 19:58
6 replies
not all but it should be a major in denmark every 1,5-2 Years
2017-03-27 20:07
4 replies
A major in Parken with 30k live viewers would be epic.
2017-03-27 20:24
3 replies
#148
 | 
Sweden ConaN007
+1 30k live viewers won't happen tho..
2017-03-27 21:43
#163
Phoey | 
Denmark Phoey
If it happens i think Jyske Bank Boxen will take care of it, and not parken.
2017-03-27 23:30
1 reply
I mean they said themselves that they would try to get esports events to Parken. But who knows
2017-03-28 06:07
#147
 | 
Denmark anton^
yes plz
2017-03-27 21:25
It's more like EU Success>NA Success. Because Everyone from europe comes to watch in Cologne, whereas no one from NA gives a shit about CS.
2017-03-27 19:59
Almost as painful as being NA
2017-03-28 00:11
That's like comparing two big jokes
2017-03-27 20:19
in EU we have everything, in NA nothing ahaha lol
2017-03-27 21:45
1 reply
nt allu
2017-03-28 06:47
#27
 | 
Indonesia Tuvny1
Yep
2017-03-27 18:19
Pected
2017-03-27 18:19
i doubt esl will ever have a major again with the latest rule to allow old vac banned players to take part in the tournament
2017-03-27 18:21
9 replies
probably
2017-03-27 18:23
#76
 | 
Sweden Extremaz
+1
2017-03-27 18:40
#79
 | 
Sweden proffs
You know that when it comes to majors, valve's rules apply not ESL's. It literally makes no sense to not let them do majors because of something like that.
2017-03-27 18:46
6 replies
Same reason why dh won't have a major also esl is YouTube only valve wants twitch
2017-03-27 18:56
5 replies
#91
XigN | 
Korea Blossom
EPL is Youtube, all other ESL event will be on Twitch unless stated otherwise.
2017-03-27 19:01
1 reply
They didn't want to suck it up thought they had leverage over valve and valve hit then with the PGL. even eleague didn't want to have it on twitch TV then observer twitch but valve hit them with the okay starladder then after this eleague changed and agree with their terms
2017-03-27 19:06
MLG also usually has their own stream site but they streamed the columbus major on twitch, no big deal
2017-03-27 23:33
2 replies
no big deal if u say sure ill stream on twitch but it is a big deal if u say nah we are on yt bitch. also mlg only streams the games they have a monopoly over on mlg.tv
2017-03-27 23:53
1 reply
#199
 | 
Sweden proffs
Esl would not turn down a major because of yt and they would never accept a contract where they aren't allowed to stream on twitch.
2017-03-28 18:18
not meyjah anymore
2017-03-27 19:34
#5
 | 
Greenland freqgod
n1
2017-03-27 18:19
nice
2017-03-27 18:20
deserved
2017-03-27 18:19
COME ON VP
2017-03-27 18:19
+¨ jkdh
2017-03-27 18:19
lul
2017-03-27 18:19
#17
 | 
Finland Dagyhy
yyy
2017-03-27 18:19
lol
2017-03-27 18:19
ez vp
2017-03-27 18:19
Expected
2017-03-27 18:19
#23
shaGuar | 
Hong Kong b1uhwk
why?
2017-03-27 18:19
#24
 | 
Poland aleks2805
KEK
2017-03-27 18:19
Not expected
2017-03-27 18:19
nice
2017-03-27 18:19
#28
FalleN | 
World Vechnyp
vp invited because they wouldnt be able to qualify LUL
2017-03-27 18:19
4 replies
#51
 | 
Russia razorVJ
They're gonna lose to Space Soldiers in 1... 2... 3...
2017-03-27 18:24
3 replies
?
2017-03-27 18:52
We will see ;) First map won VP ;)
2017-03-27 19:59
??????? u sure ???
2017-03-27 21:23
invite SUPERTEAM
2017-03-27 18:19
1 reply
Tyloo ?
2017-03-27 18:39
#31
Faceit level 7  | 
 | 
Portugal dracø
Expected, best teams 1st 4head
2017-03-27 18:19
not a major, rip
2017-03-27 18:19
nice
2017-03-27 18:19
#34
 | 
Norway Ivenrik
RIP MAJOR
2017-03-27 18:19
ez
2017-03-27 18:20
#37
 | 
Netherlands theicewithin
Damn nice
2017-03-27 18:20
#38
 | 
Sweden Trojka03
Surprise, ESFORCE teams get first invites.
2017-03-27 18:20
1 reply
+1
2017-03-27 22:25
lol ok but ur gonna have the legends from major and 8 other noob teams that aren't in the major qualis
2017-03-27 18:20
#40
 | 
France t3r4byt3
12 invites wtf
2017-03-27 18:21
Let's go KQLY!
2017-03-27 18:21
2 replies
Like srsly ?
2017-03-27 18:23
1 reply
#56
 | 
United Kingdom XNL
Nooooooo
2017-03-27 18:26
No SpaceSoldiers ???
2017-03-27 18:22
#44
 | 
Denmark slacking
ok now fnatic
2017-03-27 18:22
polish power cows
2017-03-27 18:23
no astralis?
2017-03-27 18:23
Ez 4 PGL
2017-03-27 18:24
rip cologne major :DD welcome PGL Major
2017-03-27 18:24
What is the prize pool?
2017-03-27 18:25
2 replies
#96
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
Brazil vitorloyola
+1 ???
2017-03-27 19:04
#101
 | 
Scotland tr@c
250k @liquipedia
2017-03-27 19:11
#54
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
Brazil Kimizilian
Give Immortals a chance!
2017-03-27 18:25
2 replies
no
2017-03-27 18:27
Why would hey need a chance? They play qualifiers vs NA all the time so they have free entry anyway.
2017-03-28 11:14
Now they dont have to cheat to qualify
2017-03-27 18:26
vp ahhahahaha
2017-03-27 18:27
#59
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
Netherlands pRone-
very sugoi desu
2017-03-27 18:27
#60
 | 
France t3r4byt3
+Astralis +Fnatic +FaZe +North +Gambit +Na'Vi not sure about others, perhaps +NiP +G2 +Liquid +Immortals ?
2017-03-27 18:27
6 replies
If they are smart then they are not going since its so close to major
2017-03-27 18:34
5 replies
#70
 | 
France t3r4byt3
I think all the EL Major Legends will go, no idea about the rest of the teams though
2017-03-27 18:36
3 replies
Well, this will be the worst Cologne ever since almost every team will save strats
2017-03-27 18:51
2 replies
#84
 | 
France t3r4byt3
I think it'll still be a great event, everyone knows how legendary ESL One Cologne is
2017-03-27 18:54
1 reply
the fact that it has been a major was important lol
2017-03-27 21:24
Could also try stuff for the major
2017-03-27 18:57
#62
 | 
Indonesia skyvlan
Inb4 all saving strats
2017-03-27 18:28
SUPAH TEAM
2017-03-27 18:29
expected since VP cant play jack shit online to qualify 4Head
2017-03-27 18:31
#66
Faceit plus user Faceit level 7  | 
 | 
Moldova OptimusBlyad
O M G
2017-03-27 18:34
tier2 event`? maybe sk can upset xD
2017-03-27 18:35
INVITE??? where are legend spots???
2017-03-27 18:38
1 reply
do you have schools in brazil? major is in krakow by pgl not esl cologne...
2017-03-27 18:46
Expected
2017-03-27 18:40
#80
 | 
Poland Matt2121
MAJOR PogChamp
2017-03-27 18:49
#86
 | 
Poland mamba99999
Warmup before the major.
2017-03-27 18:55
2 replies
#141
 | 
North America ksp52
isn't this the actual major?
2017-03-27 20:59
1 reply
#143
 | 
Poland mamba99999
nope, Kraków is the major.
2017-03-27 20:59
#88
 | 
Lithuania mimfex
Virtus.Pro <3
2017-03-27 18:57
#94
i am | 
Andorra lagcats
so fnatic next? xD
2017-03-27 19:04
#95
fRoD | 
Other KlNG
pricepool ???
2017-03-27 19:04
1 reply
#129
 | 
Slovakia SRNKO
250,000$
2017-03-27 20:11
-VP +Vega
2017-03-27 19:05
Esl unbans iBP and they qualify through NA qualifier calling it now
2017-03-27 19:09
2 replies
both wont happen, calling it now
2017-03-27 19:51
1 reply
Nt Germany will be fun seeing 0 Germans at cologne tho xd
2017-03-27 21:56
Invite mongolz
2017-03-27 19:15
this tournament will be so awkward with most of top teams saving best strats for major inb4 glave rush outside strat = best strat
2017-03-27 19:17
2 replies
#116
 | 
France t3r4byt3
literally a fuckin MM rush wins a Major for Astralis, like how?
2017-03-27 19:35
1 reply
Best strat on train to rush A tbh
2017-03-27 22:17
Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah! thank you ESL, we appreciate that! We smart, we loyal, we friendly, we are from BRAZIL! Kreygasm
2017-03-27 19:22
esforce and esl xD
2017-03-27 19:27
#111
 | 
Portugal 69_mL
cuz VP + online = tier 5 team
2017-03-27 19:30
1 reply
#113
 | 
Portugal 69_mL
holy shit #111 it's like first 3 times
2017-03-27 19:32
ez for SK once again
2017-03-27 19:38
EZ FOR SK! EZ FOR FERGOD, GODZERA, WALLEN, VACO AND FELPERA!
2017-03-27 19:41
#120
 | 
Algeria mohamed27
lol no astralis because they will win it what a pussy by esl
2017-03-27 19:51
#122
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
Malaysia phyzell
Patch updates makes the game closer to CS1.6
2017-03-27 19:54
#123
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
elemeNt | 
Norway Shitrich
German org And polish team why Im not suprised
2017-03-27 19:57
#127
 | 
Austria gex0r
i hope VP concentrates on the major.
2017-03-27 20:00
-VP +Izako Boars
2017-03-27 20:17
Seeing these 2 team names in one topic title is beautiful. My two favourites! <3
2017-03-27 20:23
pls invite NiP
2017-03-27 20:32
price pool is 250k, on their twitter. I think I won't be going - only to meet some nice teams like Gambit, BIG, Tricked, Splyce ... and my teammates; 50€ is hefty for no major.
2017-03-27 20:37
3 replies
where the hell did you see those teams listed wdf? this is a 250k event not 100k. Big teams will be on this event.. only 2 teams invited so far, get your brain straight out.
2017-03-27 21:53
2 replies
Dude, Cologne will be 1 week before the major. I don't think SK and VP will attend. But ESL own them, obviously is just to make ppl buy tickets and etc
2017-03-28 16:45
1 reply
dude those countries are right next to each other. It's not far for them. By the time ESL cologne is over, theyll still have a week to rest. It's a big and prestige tournament. If thats what they do for a living, you have to attend big tournaments like that. It's also a good warm up and confidence boost before the major.
2017-03-28 21:29
#137
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
vsm | 
Brazil pajuno
no major no party
2017-03-27 20:46
#139
 | 
United States Theking5221
I respect pgl but cologne was not the major to get rid of. One of the best.
2017-03-27 20:56
1 reply
It's ESL's fault
2017-03-28 11:04
#140
 | 
North America ksp52
is this the major? is there no major this year?
2017-03-27 20:57
2 replies
major is pgl krakow in july
2017-03-27 20:59
#152
 | 
Austria gex0r
major is 1 week after cologne :P
2017-03-27 21:48
eZaF
2017-03-27 21:21
rip cologne major
2017-03-27 21:47
VP invited? lol
2017-03-27 21:52
#161
 | 
France kennySsSsS
+Astralis +North +NaVi +FaZe +Immortals +fnatic
2017-03-27 22:41
I wonder if Astralis declined since they were not revealed yet.
2017-03-27 23:19
#165
 | 
Brazil Lk1Ng
sad that cologne will not be a major and the next one will be in poland with that shit of a crowd...
2017-03-27 23:35
Cologne had the best majors ever, it's less about who is running the event and more about the location.
2017-03-28 00:36
#170
 | 
Brazil FoxDreaM
sk gaming >all
2017-03-28 00:37
#173
 | 
France kennySsSsS
two first invites=two final teams
2017-03-28 01:15
rip
2017-03-28 03:43
Where liquid? Second finalist respect dem RESPECT
2017-03-28 06:11
Invite NaVi
2017-03-28 10:58
#189
Old school: User been here for more than 10 years  | 
 | 
Poland trancemeister
n1ce! 2 legendary teams :))
2017-03-28 13:32
doesn't come as a surprise after esl said that cheaters can play 2 years after they got banned...
2017-03-28 14:50
Valve: ESL, you're shit, you will not host the major ESL: Ok :( Valve: THE MAJOR WILL BE 1 WEEK AFTER YOUR BEST EVENT ESL: SHIT ESL: I OWN SK, VP AND NAVI, THEY WILL ATTEND NO MATTER WHAT
2017-03-28 16:44
First two teams are the final attenders, VP will destroy these favelas)
2017-03-29 10:05
1 reply
#221
 | 
Brazil Smartzilian
Ez for SK buddy
2017-03-29 14:22
nice bait
2017-03-29 14:48
rip best major after dreamhack
2017-03-31 11:30
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