04 Feb University Esports Masters announces 2021 format changes
The University Esports Masters, a pan-European collegiate competition, has announced major changes to its 2021 season.
The competition’s League of Legends event, set to commence in April, will feature an expanded competitive format in order to include a European League, allowing for more countries and regions to participate.
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A total of 30 teams across 14 European nations are expected to compete, with a €15,000 (~£13,158) prize pool on the line. Following the European League, the competition will culminate with the UEMasters Finals in July.
The teams competing in the European League have yet to be confirmed, however, it has been revealed by university esports tournaments organiser NUEL and National Student Esports (NSE) that two UK teams from the Winter term will be entered into the tournament.
One team will qualify through NUEL’s Amazon University Esports tournament, and the other through NSE’s League of Legends tournament. It is expected that most of the teams qualifying into the European League will be through their respective regions’ Winter splits.
Regarding the announcement David Jackson, Acting Managing Director at NUEL, told Esports Insider: “It’s fantastic to see the University Esports Masters grow in the way that it has, and this is yet another important milestone in the growth of European university esports.
“By working together, we think there’s a fantastic opportunity to involve even more people and widen the university esports community, and we can’t wait for UEM 2021 to get started.”
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After the Spring academic term, a student team from each participating country will have the opportunity to compete in a ‘Last Chance Qualifier’ to determine the last four participants in the UEMasters Play-offs, which takes place after the European League has concluded.
Sam Hibbert, Head of Partnerships at NSE, added: “We’re extremely excited to be part of the University Esports Masters 2021 League of Legends collegiate tournament. This is the first time a top student LoL team from the British University Esports Championship Winter term will be qualifying into UEM. We are looking forward to supporting all three UK teams alongside NUEL in July.”
In addition to League of Legends, Clash Royale will yet again be featured. The top two from NUEL’s spring season will be the UK’s representatives for the event.
Esports Insider says: Seeing the University Esports Masters expand in 2021 is great for the grassroots esports scene in Europe. Not only are more regions involved, but the competition continues to provide a highly competitive tournament for promising League of Legends, and Clash Royale, players who are currently in education.
Check out the ESI 2021 Events Calendar
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