ESL Pro League Season 24 will bring together 16 Counter-Strike 2 teams in Katowice, where they will compete for the title, a $1 million prize pool, and key positions in the ESL Grand Slam race. The legendary Spodek Arena, long associated with some of the biggest matches in CS history, will host the playoffs.
Invitations Based on the Valve Ranking
All 16 teams received their ESL Pro League Season 24 slots based on the Valve Regional Standings as of August 3, 2026. Moreover, none of the 12 VRS-invited teams declined their place at the tournament, ensuring a highly competitive field from the very start. The main list of invited teams includes:
- Team Spirit
- Team Falcons
- MOUZ
- 9z
- Team Vitality
- Natus Vincere
- Legacy
- FURIA
- BetBoom Team
- Aurora Gaming
- G2 Esports
- PARIVISION
The remaining four slots went to the winners of ECL Season 51. Europe will be represented by 1WIN Team, North America by M80, South America by ShindeN, and Asia by TYLOO. For these teams, ESL Pro League will be an opportunity to test themselves against the established favorites of the global CS2 scene.
Swiss System and Eight Playoff Spots
The tournament will begin on October 3 and conclude on October 11, 2026. Meanwhile, during the opening stage, all 16 teams will compete in a Swiss-system format, with every match played as a best-of-three series. The eight strongest lineups will advance to the playoffs.
The decisive stage of ESL Pro League Season 24 will use a single-elimination bracket. All playoff matches except for the grand final will be played in a best-of-three format. The champion will be determined in a best-of-five series. The tournament’s total prize pool is $1,000,000.
A Chance for Favorites and Challengers
ESL Pro League Season 24 brings together leading international lineups and teams that qualified through regional leagues, making its field one of the most diverse of the season. For the favorites, it is a battle for a prestigious trophy and progress in the ESL Grand Slam race; for 1WIN, M80, ShindeN, and TYLOO, it is an opportunity to make a statement on one of CS2’s biggest stages.
The key matches will take place at Spodek Arena in Katowice, while the tournament itself will run for nine days, from October 3 to 11. It is there that the teams will find out who can survive the unpredictable Swiss stage, endure the playoff bracket, and claim ESL Pro League’s top prize.
