Apex Legends esports scene reacts to EA cutting hotel funding

While Electronic Arts (EA) is paying for Apex Legends esports players to travel for this year’s ALGS Open, players are now expected to self-fund for their hotel stay.

This revelation has sparked a backlash from both pro players and the community, but EA is adamant that this decision will keep the event ‘equitable.’

This year’s AGLS is set to be the biggest one yet, with over 160 teams flying in to compete on the highest level of Apex Legends esports.

In previous years, Apex Legends publisher EA covered both travel and hotel accommodations for teams. The organisation would provide two rooms, which would be shared between three players and a coach.

However, this year EA is rolling back parts of that hospitality due to the increased size of the event. It’s ditching accommodations and focusing on travel instead, ensuring players actually make it to AGLS no matter where they’re geographically located.

In comments shared with esports.gg, a spokesperson from EA said: “By covering airfare for all qualified teams, we’re providing a level playing field for players to compete, no matter where in the world they come from or how expensive their travel would be.

“Airfare typically has fewer options available, whereas there are a variety of accommodation options players can leverage depending on their budget.”

EA has shared that it will be taking steps to ensure booking accommodation is smooth for players, including notifying hotels in the area, providing discount codes, and releasing a travel guide with visa requirements.

Not everyone is thrilled with EA’s revised plan. Some Apex Legends esports players see it as a necessary trade-off for a bigger tournament, while others slam the last-minute radical change.

A post on X by Jake Lucky highlighted some of the Apex pros reactions to the announcement.

John ‘Hakis‘ Håkansson, a Swedish player for Alliance, said: “It’s 2025 and this could have so easily been solved by just doing a designated skin bundle or merchandise for the Open LAN, which would have crowdfunded all the travel, accommodation and then some for the 160 team open LAN. “

Casper ‘Gnaske‘ Præstensgaard, a Danish player for Ninjas in Pyjamas, shared a similar sentiment adding that pro skin bundles would be ‘revolutionary for the esport.’

Others are more sympathetic, understanding EA’s rollback while still welcoming the chance to compete.

Top player Phillip ‘ImperialHal‘ Dosen said: “3/4 months to make money for the trip, for all these people that is a dream come true for them. They just expect handouts because that’s what was given before this entire time.”

The Apex Legends esports scene has been around for some time now, with AGLS holding its inaugural season from May 22nd to June 13th, 2021. Now, 2025 is looking to be the biggest event yet, set to be almost double the size of what it was last year.

Ben ‘Wxltzy‘ Walton, an Australian player for the Falcons, said: “Those complaining need to just not compete [in my opinion]. If you think you won’t earn more than what [accommodation] costs then why are you going?”