ESL Pro League Season 23: Format, Teams, Schedule, and How to Watch

The ESL Pro League Season 23 kicks off on March 1 with Stage 1 action and runs through March 15, featuring a total prize pool of $1 million. The tournament will showcase 24 teams from around the world competing across multiple stages for the championship title.

Sixteen teams will begin their journey in Stage 1, with the top eight advancing to join eight invited teams in Stage 2. From there, teams will battle for a spot in the finals. While the first two stages will be played online, the playoff stage will take place on LAN in Stockholm, Sweden.

The absence of top contenders such as Team Vitality and Team Falcons opens the door for a new champion to emerge, adding extra excitement to this season while these teams prepare for upcoming competitions.

Below is a breakdown of the tournament format, opening match schedule, and viewing options.

ESL Pro League Season 23 Tournament Format

Stage 1

• 16 Team Swiss System Format
• All matches are Bo3
• Top 8 teams proceed to Stage 2

Stage 2

• 16 Team Swiss System Format
• All matches are Bo3
• Top 8 teams proceed to the LAN Finals

Playoff Stage

• Single-Elimination bracket
• All matches (excl. Grand Final) are Bo3
• The Grand Final is Bo5

ESL Pro League Season 23 Teams

Stage 1 Teams

Stage 2 Teams

ESL Pro League Season 23 Opening Matches Schedule

March 1

• HEROIC vs. NRG and PARIVISION vs. SemperFi starting at 11:30 CET
• G2 vs. Gaimin Gladiators and Astralis vs. Monte starting at 14:00 CET
• Ninjas in Pyjamas vs. Legacy and FUT vs. M80 starting at 16:30 CET
• Liquid vs. Passion UA and 3DMAX vs. paiN starting at 19:00 CET

How to Watch ESL Pro League Season 23

Catch every match live on the official ESL streams:

• ESL Pro League Season 23 Official Twitch Primary Stream
• ESL Pro League Season 23 YouTube Stream
• ESL Pro League Season 23 Twitch Secondary Stream

You can tune in from anywhere home, work, or on the go, and never miss a clutch moment.

What to Expect from ESL Pro League Season 23

As ESL Pro League Season 23 gets underway, fans can look forward to two weeks of elite competition, intense rivalries, and standout performances. With a substantial prize pool, strong international teams, and a demanding multi-stage format, the tournament promises high-level Counter-Strike 2 action from start to finish. With several top contenders absent, the stage is set for a potential new champion, making the final showdown in Stockholm a must-watch event.