ESL Pro League (EPL) returns to an arena for the first time since 2019 as 16 top Counter-Strike (CS2) teams compete on LAN in Katowice, Poland from October 3–11, with the final eight playing at Spodek Arena for a $1,000,000 prize pool, the EPL trophy, and a point in the ESL Grand Slam VII race. The move back to an arena underscores EPL’s continued commercial and cultural importance in esports and continues ESL’s long-term partnership with the City of Katowice.
The leading Counter-Strike league returns to an arena as 16 teams compete on LAN in Katowice, Poland Wednesday, September 30, 2026, Katowice, Poland: ESL Pro League (EPL) is set to return on October 3 for its 24th season, bringing sixteen of the world’s leading Counter-Strike (CS2) teams to Katowice, Poland, for eight days of relentless competition. Running on October 3-11, the 24th season of EPL will culminate in a three-day Playoff stage at the Spodek Arena , marking the league’s long-awaited return to an arena setting for the first time since 2019. With $1,000,000 in Total Winning s on the line, the iconic trophy and a point in the ESL Grand Slam VII race , the tournament will see all sixteen teams compete on LAN, with only the top eight earning their place in front of the live crowd. The return to the arena marks an important new chapter for ESL Pro League, which has remained one of the cornerstones of competitive Counter-Strike for more than a decade. Since its launch in 2015, the league has brought together the world’s best teams across more than two dozen seasons, evolving across different formats and locations while establishing itself as a key part of the esports calendar. The event also continues EFG’s long-standing relationship with the City of Katowice, built over more than a decade of bringing world-class esports competition to the city and developing initiatives that engage its local community. Schedule and format : For its return to the big stage, EPL is heading to Katowice, a city that has been at the heart of esports for more than a decade. Spodek Arena has hosted countless memorable matches and welcomed some of the game’s biggest names and fan communities from around the world. This October, ESL Pro League will take over Spodek for the first time, with the final eight teams battling for the coveted title in front of a live crowd. Group Stage (October 3-7) Playoffs (October 9-11) Attending Teams : Season 24 brings together sixteen teams from across Europe, the Americas and Asia, with twelve earning direct invitations through the Valve Regional Standings and four qualifying through ESL Challenger League Season 51. Total Winnings: Those visiting the Spodek arena on October 9-11 can also look forward to a wide variety of on-site activities accompanying the competition throughout the event*: Fans around the world will be able to follow ESL Pro League Season 24 live across ESL Counter-Strike Twitch and YouTube channels, as well as via dedicated broadcast partners. For more information about ESL Pro League and the latest updates on the event, please head over to the official website and follow ESL Counter-Strike on X , Facebook , and Instagram . Press Kit is available HERE *Details of the mentioned activities are still subject to change. *** About the City of Katowice Katowice is a young, rapidly developing city, the capital of a region with a population of 5 million and a metropolitan area home to more than 2 million people. Well connected with the rest of Poland, Europe, and the world, the city has undergone an unprecedented transformation over the past decades. It is no coincidence that Katowice promotes itself with the slogan “Katowice. For a Change”, reflecting the belief that the city is well worth discovering for its innovative character, where new music meets avant-garde visual art, including street galleries, as well as bold architectural projects.Katowice is a city where history blends with the present day, and where numerous business, cultural, and sporting events attract a growing number of visitors. Today, Katowice is one of Poland’s leading centres for culture, sport, including esports, and business tourism. About ESL FACEIT Group ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) is the leading esports and video game entertainment company dedicated to creating worlds beyond gameplay where players and fans become community. EFG is built on a legacy of world-renowned brands including ESL, FACEIT, DreamHack and DreamHack Sports Games, providing innovative ecosystems for global communities of players, fans and creators around the games they love. Working alongside leading partners, brands and global IPs, EFG operates an unmatched portfolio of live events, digital platforms and developer tools that reach and engage millions of gamers worldwide. For more information visit www.eslfaceitgroup.com . About ESL ESL creates a world where everybody can be somebody. For more than two decades, we have been shaping the industry and leading esports and gaming innovation globally across the most popular video games, creating a comprehensive ecosystem with opportunities for players to go from zero to hero and for fans to witness the best stories esports has to offer. The ESL portfolio consists of high-profile products such as the ESL Pro Tour, Intel® Extreme Masters, ESL One, and many more, ranging from grassroots to global elite competitions. ESL is part of ESL FACEIT Group, the leading esports and video game entertainment company. Katarzyna Malecka Senior PR & Communications Manager press@efg.gg ESL Pro League Returns to the Big Stage as Competition Kicks Off in Katowice We lead the industry with numerous online and offline competitions, digital platforms as well as gaming lifestyle festivals.
Curated by Taleb Kabbara · Source: eslfaceitgroup.com
ESL Pro League, Spodek Arena, ESL FACEIT Group, ESL, DreamHack, FACEIT, DreamHack Sports Games, EFG, ESL Counter-Strike, Twitch, YouTube, City of Katowice, Valve, ESL Challenger League, ESL Pro Tour, Intel® Extreme Masters, ESL One, ESL Counter-Strike on X, Facebook, Instagram
ESL Pro League: ESL Pro League is a leading Counter-Strike league staging Season 24 as a LAN tournament in Katowice with sixteen teams competing and a three-day Playoff stage at Spodek Arena.
Spodek Arena: Spodek Arena is the venue hosting the three-day Playoff stage of ESL Pro League Season 24 in Katowice.
ESL FACEIT Group: ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) is the leading esports and video game entertainment company that operates brands including ESL and FACEIT and runs global live events, digital platforms and developer tools.
ESL: ESL is an esports organization that creates competitions and events across gaming, including the ESL Pro Tour and ESL Pro League.
DreamHack: DreamHack is a live-event and gaming festival brand that is part of ESL FACEIT Group's legacy portfolio.
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