ESL Pro League Season 23 continues with Stage 2, where sixteen teams battle in another Swiss stage for a place in the LAN Finals. After the opening stage filtered the field, stronger opponents now enter the competition, making every match far more competitive. With teams like FURIA, MOUZ, Spirit, NAVI, and G2 joining the lineup, the race for playoff spots becomes significantly more intense. Stage 2 runs from March 6 to March 10, 2026, and will determine which eight teams advance to the final stage of the tournament.
Format
Stage 2 follows the same 16-team Swiss system format used in the first stage. All matches are played as best-of-three series, increasing the importance of preparation and map pool depth. Teams need three wins to qualify for the LAN Finals, while three losses result in elimination.
The stage lasts five rounds, with matchups determined by teams with identical records. By the end of the stage, the top eight teams advance to the LAN Finals, while the remaining eight are eliminated from the tournament.
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Schedule (CET)
All times are listed in Central European Time.
Friday, March 6 — Swiss Round 1
- 11:30 — Natus Vincere vs Monte
- 11:30 — FUT vs Astralis
- 14:00 — Spirit vs 3DMAX
- 14:00 — Aurora vs Legacy
- 16:30 — G2 vs FaZe
- 16:30 — The MongolZ vs paiN
- 19:00 — MOUZ vs HEROIC
- 19:00 — FURIA vs B8
Saturday, March 7 — Swiss Round 2
- 11:30 — Swiss Round 2 Match #1
- 11:30 — Swiss Round 2 Match #2
- 14:00 — Swiss Round 2 Match #3
- 14:00 — Swiss Round 2 Match #4
- 16:30 — Swiss Round 2 Match #5
- 16:30 — Swiss Round 2 Match #6
- 19:00 — Swiss Round 2 Match #7
- 19:00 — Swiss Round 2 Match #8
Sunday, March 8 — Swiss Round 3
- 11:30 — Swiss Round 3 Match #1
- 11:30 — Swiss Round 3 Match #2
- 14:00 — Swiss Round 3 Match #3
- 14:00 — Swiss Round 3 Match #4
- 16:30 — Swiss Round 3 Match #5
- 16:30 — Swiss Round 3 Match #6
- 19:00 — Swiss Round 3 Match #7
- 19:00 — Swiss Round 3 Match #8
Monday, March 9 — Swiss Round 4
- 13:30 — Swiss Round 4 Match #1
- 13:30 — Swiss Round 4 Match #2
- 16:00 — Swiss Round 4 Match #3
- 16:00 — Swiss Round 4 Match #4
- 18:30 — Swiss Round 4 Match #5
- 18:30 — Swiss Round 4 Match #6
Tuesday, March 10 — Swiss Round 5
- 13:30 — Swiss Round 5 Match #1
- 16:00 — Swiss Round 5 Match #2
- 18:30 — Swiss Round 5 Match #3
Where to Watch
All matches of ESL Pro League Season 23 will be broadcast on the official ESL channels on Twitch and YouTube. The streams feature full English commentary, analyst desks, and post-match analysis covering every stage of the tournament.
What to Expect
With stronger teams entering the competition, Stage 2 should be significantly more competitive than the opening stage. Teams like FURIA, MOUZ, and Spirit are expected to fight for top positions, while squads such as Monte, Legacy, and paiN will try to continue their momentum from Stage 1. Because every match is a Bo3, consistency and map pool depth will likely determine which teams secure the eight coveted spots in the LAN Finals. The next five days will decide who stays in the title race — and who leaves the tournament early.
