ESL Pro League Season 22’s main stage brings Stockholm to the center of the Counter-Strike world this October, as 16 premier teams fight for the championship and a place in esports history. With the Swiss rounds beginning October 4 and playoffs culminating in a best-of-five Grand Final on October 12, every match offers tension, drama, and the potential for upsets. The stakes couldn’t be higher, as squads chase not just a share of the $1,000,000 prize pool, but also the prestige of being crowned ESL Pro League champions.
Format
The competition launches with a 16-team Swiss system: each match is a best-of-three, and teams must reach three wins to advance to playoffs while three losses mean elimination. The top eight progress to a single-elimination playoff bracket starting October 10, with all matches best-of-three except the Grand Final, which will be best-of-five to decide the ESL Pro League champion.
Prize Distribution
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1st place: $100,000 (+ $150,000 club share)
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2nd place: $50,000 (+ $75,000 club share)
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3rd place: $28,000 (+ $60,000 club share)
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4th place: $22,000 (+ $50,000 club share)
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5th–8th place: $18,000 each (+ $40,000 club share each)
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9th–11th place: $13,500 each (+ $25,000 club share each)
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12th–14th place: $10,500 each (+ $10,000 club share each)
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15th–16th place: $8,500 each
Saturday, October 4 — Swiss Round 1
All times CEST
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10:30 — MOUZ vs GamerLegion
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10:30 — Spirit vs Inner Circle
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13:00 — Falcons vs Astralis
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13:00 — The MongolZ vs HOTU
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15:30 — Aurora vs Natus Vincere
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15:30 — Vitality vs Gentle Mates
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18:00 — G2 vs FaZe
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18:00 — FURIA vs 3DMAX
Sunday, October 5 — Swiss Round 2
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10:30 — Swiss Round 2 #1
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10:30 — Swiss Round 2 #2
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13:00 — Swiss Round 2 #3
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13:00 — Swiss Round 2 #4
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15:30 — Swiss Round 2 #5
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15:30 — Swiss Round 2 #6
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18:00 — Swiss Round 2 #7
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18:00 — Swiss Round 2 #8
Monday, October 6 — Swiss Round 3
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10:30 — Swiss Round 3 #1
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10:30 — Swiss Round 3 #2
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13:00 — Swiss Round 3 #3
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13:00 — Swiss Round 3 #4
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15:30 — Swiss Round 3 #5
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15:30 — Swiss Round 3 #6
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18:00 — Swiss Round 3 #7
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18:00 — Swiss Round 3 #8
Tuesday, October 7 — Swiss Round 4
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13:30 — Swiss Round 4 #1
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13:30 — Swiss Round 4 #2
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16:00 — Swiss Round 4 #3
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16:00 — Swiss Round 4 #4
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18:30 — Swiss Round 4 #5
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18:30 — Swiss Round 4 #6
Wednesday, October 8 — Swiss Round 5 (Final Deciders)
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13:30 — Swiss Round 5 #1
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16:00 — Swiss Round 5 #2
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18:30 — Swiss Round 5 #3
Friday, October 10 — Playoffs Begin
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09:15 — Quarterfinal #1
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12:30 — Quarterfinal #2
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15:45 — Quarterfinal #3
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19:00 — Quarterfinal #4
Saturday, October 11 — Semifinals
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15:45 — Semifinal #1
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19:00 — Semifinal #2
Sunday, October 12 — Finals Day
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13:30 — 3rd Place Decider Match
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17:00 — Grand Final (Best-of-Five)
Where to Watch
Fans can catch all the action on ESL’s official Twitch and YouTube channels, with comprehensive international coverage from community streamers and regional broadcasts. Every match in Stockholm represents the pinnacle of competitive Counter-Strike, as the world’s best teams battle for dominance, legacy, and championship glory.
Final Thoughts
ESL Pro League Season 22’s main stage in Stockholm delivers nine days of high-stakes Counter-Strike. The MongolZ look to cement their world number one status, Vitality chases championship redemption, and Spirit’s roster overhaul adds unpredictability. Stage 1 underdogs HOTU and Inner Circle bring momentum into a ruthless Swiss system, while veterans like MOUZ, NAVI, and Falcons fight to prove their elite credentials. From Swiss rounds starting October 4 to the best-of-five Grand Final on October 12, every match will shape the 2025 season’s legacy, and only one team will claim the ESL Pro League trophy.
