FLASHPOINT has announced that the first edition of the league will be held entirely in Los Angeles due to the coronavirus outbreak.

In a statement issued on Twitter, FLASHPOINT explained that, upon consulting with the Counter-Strike Professional Players' Association (CSPPA), it decided to scrap its plans to host the playoffs in Stockholm next month and instead hold the entirety of the tournament in the company's Los Angeles studio (different from the studio where the Global Qualifier was held).

FLASHPOINT 1 will start on March 13

Hosting the tournament in a smaller, "controlled environment" will allow FLASHPOINT to "implement strong policies and best practices to protect and the players and our employers, while also avoiding incremental travel and interaction with fans," the tournament organiser noted.

"We remain excited about the future of FLASHPOINT and look forward to bringing the event around the globe in full force after the Coronavirus threat is no longer an issue," FLASHPOINT added.

FLASHPOINT becomes the latest tournament organiser to take precautions to ensure the safety of players and fans amid concerns over the coronavirus outbreak, which has already infected over 100,000 people globally.

Earlier on Friday, Riot Games announced that the Spring Finals of the League of Legends European Championship (LEC) would be held at the company's Berlin studio and not in Budapest as originally planned. Fan meets, victory high fives and post-game handshakes have been suspended in North America's top competition, the League of Legends Championship Series (LCS), until further notice.

FLASHPOINT 1 is scheduled to start on March 13 at 17:00 , one day after the group selection show. Twelve teams will be competing in the $1 million league, three of whom have not yet been revealed by the tournament organiser.