An esports tournament in Tokyo in the run-up to the 2020 Olympic games was delayed until 2021 after coronavirus pandemic postponed the games until a year later.
The Intel World Open was scheduled for 22-24 July and was an important exhibition of sports in the Japanese capital prior to the start of the Olympic Games.
The event was commonly expected to be postponed until 2021 after confirmation of last month’s postponement of the Tokyo 2020 programme.
Players were expected to play in the Champion version, and two familiar names in the Intel World Open, at Capcom’s Street Fighter V: and Psyonix’s Rocket League.
The winner of each title had been given a $250,000 prize money (£201,000/€229,000).
In a statement, Intel announced that the event was taking place and that the online qualifications scheduled to begin on May 2 will be held in 2021.
“The Intel World Open and the scheduled on-line qualifiers of May 2 were postponed until next year, because of the evolving global situation around COVID-19 and the postponement of the Olympic Games,” Intel said in a statement.
“While it was really exciting to have seen the most popular player in Street Fighter V and the Rocket League, we have to concentrate first of all on the safety and health of the community. “While we need to make improvements to ensure the safety of everyone, we are committed to getting Intel World Open to life.”
