The Playoff Stage of ESL Pro League Season 22 is set to begin after more than a week of intense Stage 1 and 2 action. Eight teams remain in the race for the title. This time, we won’t see giants like G2 or TheMongolZ, but we do have a dark horse in 3DMAX — the team that knocked out TheMongolZ in a stunning upset. Meanwhile, Vitality is chasing redemption, and Spirit is looking terrifying with their new star player.
In this article, we’ll break down the playoff format, the teams to watch, the schedule, and our take on who might rise — or fall — on the big stage.
Contents
- 1 ESL Pro League Season 22 Playoff Stage Format
- 2 ESL Pro League Season 22 Playoff Stage Brackets & Teams
- 3 ESL Pro League Season 22 Playoff Favorites & Underdogs
- 4 Favorites
- 5 Challengers
- 6 Underdog Story
- 7 ESL Pro League Season 22 Playoff Stage Schedule
- 8 October 10
- 9 October 11
- 10 October 12
- 11 How to Watch ESL Pro League Season 22
- 12 The Road to the ESL Pro League Title
ESL Pro League Season 22 Playoff Stage Format
- Single-Elimination bracket
- All matches (excl. Grand Final) are Bo3
- Grand Final is Bo5
ESL Pro League Season 22 Playoff Stage Brackets & Teams
| Spirit | Vitality |
| FaZe | FURIA |
| Falcons | MOUZ |
| Natus Vincere | 3DMAX |
ESL Pro League Season 22 Playoff Favorites & Underdogs
Favorites
Spirit and Vitality lead the pack, both showing strong form throughout the event and maintaining top world rankings. Vitality is eager to return to trophy contention after a quiet few months, while Spirit, powered by rising star tN1R, looks more dangerous than ever.
Challengers
Falcons, Natus Vincere, FURIA, MOUZ, and FaZe sit just behind the favorites. FURIA recently lifted the FISSURE Playground 2 trophy but has struggled to maintain that momentum. NaVi, MOUZ, and Falcons continue to grind their way back into form, and FaZe could surprise — especially with ‘rain’ back in the lineup and nothing to lose.
Underdog Story
3DMAX stands out as the clear underdog. Despite limited experience on the big stage, they’ve already proven they can take down top-tier teams like TheMongolZ. They’ll be looking to play dark horse once again.
ESL Pro League Season 22 Playoff Stage Schedule
October 10
- 3DMAX vs. Falcons starting at 10:30 CET
- MOUZ vs. Natus Vincere starting at 13:00 CET
- Spirit vs. FaZe starting at 15:30 CET
- FURIA vs. Vitality starting at 18:00 CET
October 11
- Semi-final #1 starting at 15:45 CET
- Semi-final #2 starting at 19:00 CET
October 12
- The Grand Final starts at 17:00 CET
How to Watch ESL Pro League Season 22
Catch every match live on the official ESL streams:
You can tune in from anywhere—home, work, or on the go—and never miss a clutch moment.
The Road to the ESL Pro League Title
The ESL Pro League Season 22 Playoffs promise high-stakes matchups, unexpected twists, and breakout performances. While Spirit and Vitality look like the clear front-runners, every team in the bracket has the potential to shock the competition. Whether it’s a powerhouse redemption arc or a dark horse fairytale, fans are in for a weekend of unforgettable Counter-Strike 2.
Our first match prediction for the Spirit vs. FaZe matchup is already out, and more predictions are coming for the semi-final matches and the Grand Final.
