ESL Pro League Returns to the Big Stage as Competition Kicks Off in Katowice

The leading Counter-Strike league returns to an arena as 16 teams compete on LAN in Katowice, Poland

Wednesday, September 30, 2026, Katowice, Poland: ESL Pro League (EPL) is set to return on October 3 for its 24th season, bringing sixteen of the world’s leading Counter-Strike (CS2) teams to Katowice, Poland, for eight days of relentless competition. Running on October 3-11, the 24th season of EPL will culminate in a three-day Playoff stage at the Spodek Arena, marking the league’s long-awaited return to an arena setting for the first time since 2019.

With $1,000,000 in Total Winnings on the line, the iconic trophy and a point in the ESL Grand Slam VII race, the tournament will see all sixteen teams compete on LAN, with only the top eight earning their place in front of the live crowd.

The return to the arena marks an important new chapter for ESL Pro League, which has remained one of the cornerstones of competitive Counter-Strike for more than a decade. Since its launch in 2015, the league has brought together the world’s best teams across more than two dozen seasons, evolving across different formats and locations while establishing itself as a key part of the esports calendar. The event also continues EFG’s long-standing relationship with the City of Katowice, built over more than a decade of bringing world-class esports competition to the city and developing initiatives that engage its local community.

Schedule and format:

For its return to the big stage, EPL is heading to Katowice, a city that has been at the heart of esports for more than a decade. Spodek Arena has hosted countless memorable matches and welcomed some of the game’s biggest names and fan communities from around the world. This October, ESL Pro League will take over Spodek for the first time, with the final eight teams battling for the coveted title in front of a live crowd.

Group Stage (October 3-7)

• Sixteen teams compete in a Swiss-system format.
• All matches are best-of-three.
• The top eight teams advance to the Playoffs.

Playoffs (October 9-11)

• Eight teams compete in a single-elimination bracket at the Spodek Arena.
• The Quarterfinals and Semifinals are best-of-three.
• The third-place decider is best-of-three.
• The Grand Final is best-of-five.

Attending Teams:

Season 24 brings together sixteen teams from across Europe, the Americas and Asia, with twelve earning direct invitations through the Valve Regional Standings and four qualifying through ESL Challenger League Season 51.

• Team Spirit
• Team Falcons
• MOUZ
• 9z Globant
• Team Vitality
• Natus Vincere
• Legacy
• FURIA
• BetBoom Team
• Aurora Gaming
• G2 Esports
• PARIVISION
• 1WIN (ESL Challenger League S51)
• M80 (ESL Challenger League S51)
• ShindeN (ESL Challenger League S51)
• TYLOO (ESL Challenger League S51)

Total Winnings:

Onsite activations:

Those visiting the Spodek arena on October 9-11 can also look forward to a wide variety of on-site activities accompanying the competition throughout the event*:

• ZOWIE Booth – Fans can get hands-on with ZOWIE gaming monitors and gear, test the latest equipment, and experience the same setup used on the tournament stage.
• ESL Shop – ESL Shop will provide visitors with an elevated experience with exclusive merch, Kolex Cards, team jerseys, and much more.
• City of Katowice – The City of Katowice will host the finals of a local school Brawl Stars tournament, where young players will compete on behalf of their schools for the chance to win a fully equipped computer lab.
• ESL Pro League Booth – the EPL Fan Zone will offer a range of interactive activities for fans, including Catch the Light, a boxer strength tester, the BATAK Pro reaction test, poster making and a signature wall. Visitors will also be able to get a tarot reading from an on-site psychic.
• Alior Bank booth – divided into two areas, combining business and gaming activities. In the business area, visitors will be able to meet with a banker, learn more about available banking services, and open an account. The gaming area will feature PCs for Counter-Strike, as well as a TV and bean bags where fans can play the new EA Sports FC. A dedicated host will run activities and engage with visitors throughout the event.

Where to watch:

Fans around the world will be able to follow ESL Pro League Season 24 live across ESL Counter-Strike Twitch and YouTube channels, as well as via dedicated broadcast partners.

For more information about ESL Pro League and the latest updates on the event, please head over to the official website and follow ESL Counter-Strike on X, Facebook, and Instagram.

Press Kit is available HERE

*Details of the mentioned activities are still subject to change.

About the City of Katowice

Katowice is a young, rapidly developing city, the capital of a region with a population of 5 million and a metropolitan area home to more than 2 million people. Well connected with the rest of Poland, Europe, and the world, the city has undergone an unprecedented transformation over the past decades. It is no coincidence that Katowice promotes itself with the slogan “Katowice. For a Change”, reflecting the belief that the city is well worth discovering for its innovative character, where new music meets avant-garde visual art, including street galleries, as well as bold architectural projects.Katowice is a city where history blends with the present day, and where numerous business, cultural, and sporting events attract a growing number of visitors. Today, Katowice is one of Poland’s leading centres for culture, sport, including esports, and business tourism.

About ESL FACEIT Group

ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) is the leading esports and video game entertainment company dedicated to creating worlds beyond gameplay where players and fans become community. EFG is built on a legacy of world-renowned brands including ESL, FACEIT, DreamHack and DreamHack Sports Games, providing innovative ecosystems for global communities of players, fans and creators around the games they love. Working alongside leading partners, brands and global IPs, EFG operates an unmatched portfolio of live events, digital platforms and developer tools that reach and engage millions of gamers worldwide. For more information visit www.eslfaceitgroup.com.

About ESL

ESL creates a world where everybody can be somebody. For more than two decades, we have been shaping the industry and leading esports and gaming innovation globally across the most popular video games, creating a comprehensive ecosystem with opportunities for players to go from zero to hero and for fans to witness the best stories esports has to offer. The ESL portfolio consists of high-profile products such as the ESL Pro Tour, Intel® Extreme Masters, ESL One, and many more, ranging from grassroots to global elite competitions. ESL is part of ESL FACEIT Group, the leading esports and video game entertainment company.