A headline that reads like bad news for local esports, but how ESL Australia made the announcement changes things. With a short and fun video shared across social media we learn that Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) won't be returning to Sydney. Which, naturally, has led many to believe that the event is moving to Melbourne.

Where currently events like the Melbourne Esports Open, Fortnite Summer Smash, and brand-new venues like Fortress make the city the esports capital of Australia. Or, will make it so if IEM moves from Sydney to Melbourne.

Here's the announcement.

We normally send @DannyKimHD out just before our big events, but for #IEM this year, he wanted to queue up early.

Things didn't go to plan, however... pic.twitter.com/xCdpZYcRU2

— ESL Australia (@ESLAustralia) February 3, 2020

Speculation has many believing that the event will become part of MEO, and take place during the second-half of August. By all accounts IEM Sydney 2019 was a success with the Qudos Bank Arena venue filling up for the CS: Go competition which was also watched live by a sizable global audience on Twitch.

More as it breaks.