EA suspends all live esports events to curb coronavirus spread

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The suspension impacts Apex Legends Global Series and Madden NFL 20 Championship Series

(Image credit: EA/Respawn)

EA is halting all live esports events amidst growing concerns around the spread of novel COVID-19.

The suspension applies to any event that uses EA games, whether EA-operated or third party. Only online events, where "participants and staff are remote and separated," will proceed as planned. That means Apex Legends Global Series, EA Sports Fifa 20 Global Series, FIFA Online 4 Live Events, and Madden NFL 20 Championship Series events are being shuttered until further notice.

EA says the move is to protect "competitors, our employees, our partner’s employees and our communities," as well as "to limit the spread of the coronavirus pandemic."

"As we continue to monitor the situation around the coronavirus and receive updated guidance from health officials around the world, we will use this time to determine next steps for moving forward with all of EA’s Competitive Gaming live events and online broadcasts," the announcement reads.

Until this all blows over - hopefully sooner rather than later - here's our beginner's guide to esports and competitive gaming.

Jordan Gerblick
Jordan Gerblick
Staff Writer

After earning an English degree from ASU, I worked as a corporate copy editor while freelancing for places like SFX Magazine, Screen Rant, Game Revolution, and MMORPG on the side. I got my big break here in 2019 with a freelance news gig, and I was hired on as GamesRadar's west coast Staff Writer in 2021. That means I'm responsible for managing the site's western regional executive branch, AKA my home office, and writing about whatever horror game I'm too afraid to finish.