{"id":34538,"date":"2026-02-27T16:16:45","date_gmt":"2026-02-27T16:16:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/?p=34538"},"modified":"2026-02-27T16:16:47","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T16:16:47","slug":"esl-pro-league-season-23-format-teams-schedule","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/news\/cs-2\/esl-pro-league-season-23-format-teams-schedule\/","title":{"rendered":"ESL Pro League Season 23: Format, Teams, Schedule, and How to Watch"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/csgo\/proleague\/#about\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/csgo\/proleague\/#about\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ESL Pro League Season 23<\/a><\/strong> kicks off on <strong>March 1<\/strong> with Stage 1 action and runs through <strong>March 15<\/strong>, featuring a total prize pool of <strong>$1 million<\/strong>. The tournament will showcase <strong>24 teams<\/strong> from around the world competing across multiple stages for the championship title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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 <strong>Stockholm, Sweden<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The absence of top contenders such as <strong>Team Vitality<\/strong> and<strong> Team Falcons<\/strong> opens the door for a new champion to emerge, adding extra excitement to this season while these teams prepare for upcoming competitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Below is a breakdown of the tournament format, opening match schedule, and viewing options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">ESL Pro League Season 23 Tournament Format<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stage 1<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>16 Team Swiss System Format<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>All matches are Bo3<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Top 8 teams proceed to Stage 2<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stage 2<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>16 Team Swiss System Format<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>All matches are Bo3<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Top 8 teams proceed to the LAN Finals<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Playoff Stage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Single-Elimination bracket<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>All matches (excl. Grand Final) are Bo3<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Grand Final is Bo5<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">ESL Pro League Season 23 Teams<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stage 1 Teams<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/stage1esl-1024x384.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-34542\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/stage1esl-1024x384.png 1024w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/stage1esl-300x112.png 300w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/stage1esl-768x288.png 768w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/stage1esl-150x56.png 150w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/stage1esl-450x169.png 450w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/stage1esl.png 1043w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">ESL Pro League Season 23 &#8211; Stage 1 Teams<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td>HEROIC<\/td><td>NRG<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>PARIVISION<\/td><td>SemperFi<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>G2<\/td><td>Gaimin Gladiators<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Monte<\/td><td>M80<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Ninjas in Pyjamas<\/td><td>Legacy<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>FUT<\/td><td>M80<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Liquid<\/td><td>3DMAX<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Passion UA<\/td><td>paiN<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">ESL Pro League Season 23 &#8211; Stage 1 Teams<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-wide\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stage 2 Teams<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"185\" src=\"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/stage2esl-1024x185.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-34543\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/stage2esl-1024x185.png 1024w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/stage2esl-300x54.png 300w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/stage2esl-768x139.png 768w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/stage2esl-150x27.png 150w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/stage2esl-450x81.png 450w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/stage2esl.png 1066w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">ESL Pro League &#8211; Stage 2 Teams<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><td>FURIA<\/td><td>Spirit<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Natus Vincere<\/td><td>FaZe<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>TheMongolZ<\/td><td>Aurora<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>MOUZ<\/td><td>B8<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">ESL Pro League &#8211; Stage 2 Teams<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">ESL Pro League Season 23 Opening Matches Schedule<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">March 1<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>HEROIC <\/strong>vs. <strong>NRG <\/strong>and <strong>PARIVISION <\/strong>vs. <strong>SemperFi <\/strong>starting at <strong>11:30 CET<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>G2 <\/strong>vs. <strong>Gaimin Gladiators <\/strong>and <strong>Astralis <\/strong>vs. <strong>Monte <\/strong>starting at<strong> 14:00 CET<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ninjas in Pyjamas <\/strong>vs. <strong>Legacy <\/strong>and <strong>FUT <\/strong>vs. <strong>M80 <\/strong>starting at<strong> 16:30 CET<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Liquid <\/strong>vs.<strong> Passion UA <\/strong>and <strong>3DMAX <\/strong>vs. <strong>paiN <\/strong>starting at <strong>19:00 CET<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Watch ESL Pro League Season 23<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"340\" src=\"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/twitch-3-1024x340.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-34541\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/twitch-3-1024x340.png 1024w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/twitch-3-300x100.png 300w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/twitch-3-768x255.png 768w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/twitch-3-150x50.png 150w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/twitch-3-450x149.png 450w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/twitch-3.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Streaming Platform Twitch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Catch every match live on the official ESL streams:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.twitch.tv\/ESLCS\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ESL Pro League Season 23 Official Twitch Primary Stream<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/ESLCS\/streams\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ESL Pro League Season 23 YouTube Stream<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.twitch.tv\/ESLCSb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ESL Pro League Season 23 Twitch Secondary Stream<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>You can tune in from anywhere home, work, or on the go, and never miss a clutch moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What to Expect from ESL Pro League Season 23<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/eslcscs-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-34540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/eslcscs-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/eslcscs-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/eslcscs-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/eslcscs-1536x863.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/eslcscs-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/eslcscs-450x253.jpg 450w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/eslcscs-1200x674.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/eslcscs.jpg 1918w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">ESL Pro League Season 23<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As <strong>ESL Pro League Season 23 <\/strong>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 <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.counter-strike.net\/?l=english\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.counter-strike.net\/?l=english\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Counter-Strike 2<\/a><\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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,<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":75,"featured_media":34539,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[5,247],"class_list":{"0":"post-34538","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-cs-2","8":"tag-cs2","9":"tag-cs2-tournaments"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34538","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/75"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34538"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34538\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34544,"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34538\/revisions\/34544"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/34539"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34538"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34538"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blix.gg\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34538"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}