During and after ESL One Cologne 2016, we collected a lot of feedback from attendees about what they liked, what they did not like and where we fell short of delivering what they expected. As we approach the 2017 event, we wanted to share some of the changes we are making to ensure that everyone has a good time and is satisfied with the event experience.

Signing Sessions

With a sold out arena, getting autographs for everyone is impossible. However, it is also frustrating to wait in a long line and then not receive a signature. Therefore, we are introducing the same change we are making for the New York event: The signing sessions will be in a defined area and the line will be capped so that everyone who is in it will definitely get a signature. In addition to that, we will push the timings of the sessions to you on various channels so you do not miss any.

Food & Drinks for Premium

One key feedback in 2016 was about the food for Premium buyers. Some people liked certain meals, others did not. We made the same experience with our Frankfurt event - it is hard to provide food that everyone with a Premium likes, and the fixed times restrict a lot. We are therefore making the same change we made to Frankfurt and where attendees appreciated it - we are giving out food vouchers. You will receive 9 vouchers which you can use whenever you want - at the arena vendors to get pizza, pasta, fries, baked potatoes, sausages, hamburgers and cheeseburgers. In addition to that, there will again be snacks available at all times.

Drinks will remain free and available at all times for Premium, but we are also making one key change - we are guaranteeing a time until which the bar will stay open if matches run short, so that you will know exactly until when you can still get a drink.

Goodie Bags

With the introduction of the Plus tickets, goodie bags are a more important part of the event. At the same time, we want to make sure that Premium buyers still get the value they expect. Therefore, Plus and Premium buyers will receive different goodie bags appropriate to the value of each ticket, and the handout process will be optimized to be a simple handover - no recording of names or anything. One key challenge we had this year is also stock, and that was due to short notice planning on our end - which is something we are addressing now so that by July, everyone will receive their goodie bag at the event and won't have to wait for it to be in the mail.

See you there!

ESL One Cologne 2017 will take place on July 7-9 at the LANXESS Arena with the best CS:GO teams from around the world competing for the coveted trophy. Tickets are available for sale so be sure to join us an outstanding event!

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