Esports Insider and Platform are delighted to announce the inaugural WFH League, a corporate esports league in which companies compete against each other in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and FIFA 20.
The first season will see two different leagues, with the option for companies to compete in either CS:GO’s Wingman mode, or FIFA 20 (PlayStation 4, one-versus-one), or indeed, in both.
Both will take place across May 18-28th, 2020. It’ll be online only, but for its second season the WFH League will take place at Platform itself, the gaming and esports bar near Old Street in the heart of London.
We’ll be broadcasting the matches live on Twitch, and keeping everyone up to date via Esports Insider and Platform channels with scores and performances (good, and, especially, bad). WFH League can be followed on both LinkedIn and Twitter.
Sam Cooke, Managing Director and Co-founder at Esports Insider, said: “We’ve been discussing this with the team over at Platform for some time now, and are convinced there’s appetite for it. ‘Corporate leagues’ in football, tennis, badminton and such are commonplace yet there isn’t one across any esports, at least that we know of, in London or the UK. We took some inspiration from the OOO League, which has been fantastic from the team over at Hurrah, but ultimately we want to make the WFH League an in-person competition at Platform, when things are back to normal.
“For now we will push ahead with the online-only edition, and look forward to seeing who signs up!”
Nicolo Portunato, Co-founder and COO of Platform, stated: “One of Platform’s missions is to build out grassroots esports, and creating a form of league has always been on our radar. We’ve been discussing a corporate league with our friends at ESI for a while now, and thanks to the central location of Platform’s first venue in the city of London and ESI’s B2B network, it just made sense.
“I would like to thank all the people who have supported the project particularly the Hurrah team who’ve been very kind to share their experience with the OOO league. There has already been huge interest from companies we’ve approached and we look forward to the inaugural online season, with subsequent seasons at Platform when things are back to normal!”
WFH League Season 1 Sign-Up Form
Tom Donegan, Fundraising and Communications Team Leader for SpecialEffect, the official charity partner of the WFH League, added: “We are incredibly excited to have been invited to be the official charity partner for the WFH League! We love the idea of an esports tournament that encourages some friendly competition between rival businesses and can’t wait to see how the series develops as more companies join the fray!
“The staff at SpecialEffect are working incredibly hard to continue helping people with disabilities to get access to games and technology during lockdown, thereby bringing some much needed social connection and joy to their lives. In these difficult times, we are particularly grateful for the support of Platform and ESI and look forward to watching the competition unfold!”
James Allcott, a presenter on Twitch and YouTube, will be lead caster on the FIFA 20 league. He noted: “I’m excited to see what drama and goals the WFH league can offer up. I just hope that no controllers are harmed during the competition!”
Companies that have any questions, or want to register for a place, can do so below or get in contact with Esports Insider and Platform directly or via [email protected].