ESL New York 2019

Overview:

ESL (formerly known as Electronic Sports League) is an international esports league that was established in Germany in the year 2000. ESL league competitions are currently organized in nearly 30 countries around the world, not only in Europe but also in China, Russia, Brazil, South Korea, and the United States. The organization’s online portal brings together nearly one million registered users who engage in almost 6,000 matches among themselves every day.

Problem: Venue Challenges:

One of the standout features of ESL New York 2019 was the venue itself. Held at the Barclays Center, this venue came with its own unique set of challenges. Notably, the venue had a peculiar loading dock located beneath it, requiring trucks to navigate a special ramp for equipment loading and unloading. This presented a logistical challenge due to limited timeframes for setup and teardown, with only two days allocated for assembly and just six hours for disassembly each day.

The venue’s location in the heart of Brooklyn also posed logistical difficulties. Unlike other similar venues, it lacked conventional loading facilities, resulting in significant time spent shuttling equipment. Despite these challenges, the high cost of the venue made efficient setup and teardown essential.

Client Needs:

ESL required a seamless setup within the tight window of two setup days, with only 6 to 8 hours available each day for assembly. The scope of work encompassed everything, including technical design, technical production, and décor. The sheer volume of equipment amounted to approximately 12 semi-trailer trucks (53-footers).

Solution:

To meet the tight schedule and complex logistics, significant innovations were implemented during the technical pre-production phase. One notable change involved transforming all trusses into a TOUR system, meaning they could arrive at the venue pre-loaded with equipment and wired up. This change saved considerable time during assembly.

Additionally, LED screens arrived on TOUR-style carts, allowing for the installation of 1 square meter at a time instead of dealing with individual LED elements. This approach, typical of touring setups, streamlined the installation process.

Technical Challenges:

A notable challenge was the absence of technical rehearsals. The event required immediate live performance following programming. This demanded a thorough consideration of all potential scenarios and relied on advanced technical knowledge.

Results:

Despite these challenges, the teardown was accomplished within a tight seven-hour window. ESL appreciated our professionalism, punctuality, and the seamless execution of the project. There were no technological hiccups, shortcomings, or unexpected problems, which contributed to the overall success of ESL New York 2019.