StrafeStrafe Esports
ESL Pro League S23: Schedule, Teams, Format, and More

ESL Pro League S23: Schedule, Teams, Format, and More

Counter-Strike 2
Adarsh J. KumarAdarsh J. Kumar

27 Feb, 2026, 01:24

The ESL Pro League Season 23 is set to begin soon, with the Online Stage scheduled to commence on March 1, 2026. The 24 competing teams will first take part in two online qualifiers, after which the top eight teams will advance to the LAN Finals in Stockholm, Sweden.

Team invitations were based on VRS rankings, but Vitality and Falcons have declined their invites. Both organizations are reportedly resting and preparing for the BLAST Open Spring 2026, which kicks off just three days after the Pro League concludes. 

Vitality won two out of three major tournaments this year and currently sits at #1 in the world. By opting out of EPL, the team is likely aiming to maintain its momentum in the months leading up to the Cologne Major in June. Falcons, on the other hand, has yet to achieve the level of success they had hoped for. However, with a second-place finish at BLAST Bounty Winter followed by two top-eight results, the team has managed to hold onto its spot in the top five of the Valve Regional Standings (VRS). With this break, Falcons could be looking to regroup and position itself as a serious title contender for the tournaments ahead.

To fill the spots left by Falcons and Vitality, Ninjas in Pyjamas and Passion UA have been invited to the tournament. Additionally, Aurora and B8 have been granted direct entry into Stage 2, bypassing Stage 1. Below, we break down everything you need to know about ESL Pro League Season 23, including its schedule, format, livestream details, and more.

Teams
ESL Pro League Season 23 Teams

Stage 1 Invited Teams

  • Legacy 

  • G2 Esports

  • Team Liquid 

  • 3DMAX

  • Astralis

  • HEROIC

  • paiN Gaming

  • FUT Esports

  • Ninjas in Pyjamas

  • Passion UA 

  • PARIVISION

  • NRG

  • Gaimin Gladiators 

  • SemperFi Esports

  • M80

  • Monte 

Stage 2 Invited Teams

Format

Online Stage

Stage 1

The 16 invited teams will compete in a Swiss-system bracket in the first stage. This format guarantees each team at least three matches, with the eight teams that secure three wins advancing to Stage 2. All matches will be best-of-three.

Stage 2 

The second stage will follow a format similar to Stage 1. The eight teams that advanced from the previous stage will be joined by the eight teams directly invited to Stage 2, with all 16 competing in another Swiss-system bracket. Every match will be a best-of-three, and the top eight teams will secure their spots at the LAN Finals in Stockholm.

Main Event 

Playoffs

The top eight teams from the Online Stage will compete in a single-elimination playoff bracket on LAN. All matches will be played as best-of-three series, except for the Grand Final, which will be a best-of-five.

What to Expect From ESL Pro League Season 23

With top-ranked teams like Vitality and Falcons declining their invites to the upcoming ESL Pro League, the door is wide open for other contenders to stake their claim. Teams such as MOUZ, FURIA, Spirit, and PARIVISION now have a golden opportunity to prove their mettle and show Vitality that they are capable of challenging for the world #1 spot. The tournament also offers a valuable platform for smaller teams to gain experience against top-tier opposition and collect crucial VRS points. This opportunity could prove pivotal in their long-term development.

The teams currently in the best form are FURIA and PARIVISION. Both have reached a Grand Final over the past month and boast a strong track record against top-tier opponents. MOUZ and Spirit are also formidable contenders. MOUZ was a top-three team in 2025 and has delivered strong performances so far this season. Spirit, on the other hand, has been a bit inconsistent. But when donk and the rest of the lineup find their rhythm, they can be incredibly difficult to beat.

Stage 1 Schedule

Sunday, March 1st

Monday, March 2nd

  • Swiss Round 2 #1 - 2:30 am PST / 11:30 am CET

  • Swiss Round 2 #2 - 2:30 am PST / 11:30 am CET

  • Swiss Round 2 #3 - 5 am PST / 2 pm CET

  • Swiss Round 2 #4 - 5 am PST / 2 pm CET

  • Swiss Round 2 #5 - 7:30 am PST / 4:30 pm CET

  • Swiss Round 2 #6 - 7:30 am PST / 4:30 pm CET

  • Swiss Round 2 #7 - 10 am PST / 7 pm CET

  • Swiss Round 2 #8 - 10 am PST / 7 pm CET

Tuesday, March 3rd

  • Swiss Round 3 #1 - 2:30 am PST / 11:30 am CET

  • Swiss Round 3 #2 - 2:30 am PST / 11:30 am CET

  • Swiss Round 3 #3 - 5 am PST / 2 pm CET

  • Swiss Round 3 #4 - 5 am PST / 2 pm CET

  • Swiss Round 3 #5 - 7:30 am PST / 4:30 pm CET

  • Swiss Round 3 #6 - 7:30 am PST / 4:30 pm CET

  • Swiss Round 3 #7 - 10 am PST / 7 pm CET

  • Swiss Round 3 #8 - 10 am PST / 7 pm CET

Wednesday, March 4th

  • Swiss Round 4 #1 - 4:30 am PST / 1:30 pm CET

  • Swiss Round 4 #2 - 4:30 am PST / 1:30 pm CET

  • Swiss Round 4 #3 - 7 am PST / 4 pm CET

  • Swiss Round 4 #4 - 7 am PST / 4 pm CET

  • Swiss Round 4 #5 - 9:30 am PST / 6:30 pm CET

  • Swiss Round 4 #6 - 9:30 am PST / 6:30 pm CET

Thursday, March 5th

  • Swiss Round 5 #1 - 4:30 am PST / 1:30 pm CET

  • Swiss Round 5 #2 - 7 am PST / 4 pm CET

  • Swiss Round 5 #3 - 9:30 am PST / 6:30 pm CET

Where to Watch ESL Pro League Season 23

ESL Pro League S23 will be broadcast live on Twitch and YouTube. Here are the links: 

You can also follow the tournament on Strafe. 

Don't forget to follow Strafe Esports for the latest news about your favorite esports and to check out our X account for the most recent content and coverage.

Also, stay tuned to the Strafe YouTube channel for exclusive interviews, press conferences, and much more.

Featured Image Credit: ESL Counter Strike

Read More:

The Massive Lawsuit Hitting Valve and the Future of Loot Boxes

Passion UA brings Senzu and try, replacing hallzerk and nicx

IEM Cologne Major 2026 to Feature No More Bo1's for Stage 3 Matches

Latest news

IEM Cologne Major 2026: The Only Stage 1 Pick'Ems Guide You Need

IEM Cologne Major 2026: The Only Stage 1 Pick'Ems Guide You Need

The IEM Cologne Major 2026 is almost here, and with it comes one of the most exciting traditions in all of CS2: the Pick'Ems Challenge. Stage 1 kicks off on June 2, and it's time to lock in your predictions before the server goes live. We've done the homework so you don't have to: here's our IEM Cologne Major Stage 1 Pick'Ems Guide!
25 May
Thales Costa

IEM Cologne Major 2026: Format, Teams, What to Expect, and More

After 10 long years, the prestigious Major returns to the Cathedral of Counter-Strike. Starting June 2, the 32 teams will clash at the IEM Cologne Major 2026 for a shot at lifting the Major trophy at the legendary LANXESS Arena. The competition spans three weeks and four stages. The first three stages are 16-team Swiss rounds, followed by an 8-team single-Elimination bracket.
25 May
Ganesh Jadhav

Legacy Shocks Team Falcons to Claim Back-to-Back CS Asia Championship Titles

Nobody saw this coming quite the way it happened. Legacy walked into the grand final of the 2026 CS Asia Championships as underdogs, having already lost to Team Falcons in the group stage just days earlier. And yet, when the final map was done and the trophy was lifted, it was the Brazilian side celebrating a stunning 3-1 victory and a second consecutive title in Shanghai.
24 May
Thales Costa

How to Play CS2 IEM Cologne Major 2026 Pick’Em Challenge: Viewer Pass, Rewards and more

The Counter-Strike Major is upon us once again. As we enter the final days of May, the countdown to the 2026 IEM Cologne Major draws ever nearer – and we eye the forms of our supported teams. With today’s update from Valve, the Pick’Em challenge is officially afoot. Before you log into the game and start picking, there are a number of key changes that Valve has introduced with this latest Major. Let’s get into it.
22 May
Foo Zen-Wen

No Souvenir Packages or Sticker Capsules for 2026 IEM Cologne Major: New CS2 Major Hub Overhaul Explained

Ahead of the CS2 IEM Cologne Major 2026, Valve has released an update that completely overhauled the Major hub and the Souvenir stickers and skins. With the update, souvenir packages and sticker capsules are removed from the game. Now, you can directly buy the stickers from the Major shop inside the hub and convert any weapon into a Souvenir.
22 May
Ganesh Jadhav

Esports World Cup 2026 Heads to Paris for Its First Edition Outside Saudi Arabia

The world's biggest esports event just found a new home. The Esports World Cup 2026 is officially moving to Paris, France, marking the first time in the tournament's history that it will be hosted outside of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
20 May
Thales Costa

NAVI Dominates GamerLegion to Win IEM Atlanta 2026

NAVI crushed GamerLegion in the IEM Atlanta 2026 Grand Final to secure their second trophy of the year. Here's how the match unfolded.
18 May
Adarsh J. Kumar

Comments (0)

Log in to comment on this match