The excitement from PGL Cluj-Napoca has barely settled, and the Counter-Strike action continues with the ESL Pro League Season 21. This highly anticipated tournament follows the classic CS:GO Major format, bringing 24 top-tier teams together to compete for the prestigious EPL Trophy and valuable points towards the VRS ranking.
In this article, we will dive into the tournament’s format, the teams involved, the schedule, and everything you need to know about ESL Pro League Season 21.
ESL Pro League Season 21 Format and Teams
ESL Pro League Season 21 is split into three main stages: Stage 1, Stage 2, and the Playoffs. Each stage presents exciting opportunities for teams to advance and secure their place in the final rounds of the competition.
Stage 1: Challengers and VRS Teams Competing for a Spot
The first stage of the tournament features teams that qualified through the Challenger Leagues, as well as the bottom four teams from the VRS ranking. This group of 16 teams will compete in a Swiss Stage, where each team must win 3 matches before losing 3 to qualify for the next round.
Teams in Stage 1:
- VRS Teams:
- FURIA
- 3DMax
- Eternal Fire
- GamerLegion
- ESL Challenger Teams:
- FlyQuest
- SAW
- HEROIC
- Nemiga Gaming
- M80
- NRG
- Tyloo
- Lynn Vision
- paiN Gaming
- MIBR
- Mindfreak
- Housebets
After the Swiss Stage, the Top 8 teams will advance to Stage 2. All matches in Stage 1 are Bo3, ensuring that each round offers high-stakes action and thrilling matchups.
Stage 2: The Elite 8 Invited Teams Join the Fight
Stage 2 introduces eight elite teams, which have been directly invited to the tournament. These teams will join the top 8 teams from Stage 1, making it a 16-team Swiss Stage.
Teams in Stage 2:
- G2 Esports
- Team Spirit
- The MongolZ
- Team Vitality
- MOUZ
- Natus Vincere
- Team Falcons
- Team Liquid
The competition intensifies in Stage 2, where all matches are played in Bo3 format. Only the top 8 teams from this stage will advance to the Playoffs.
Playoffs: The Road to the Trophy
The Playoffs is where the most exciting action takes place. Teams are seeded based on their performance in Stage 2 and will face off in a single-elimination bracket. Here’s a breakdown of the match formats during the Playoffs:
- Quarterfinals and Semifinals: Bo3
- Grand Finals: Bo5
The team that emerges victorious from these intense battles will be crowned the ESL Pro League Season 21 Champion and will lift the prestigious EPL Trophy.
ESL Pro League Season 21 Schedule
The tournament spans 15 days, starting on 1st March and ending on 16th March. Here is a breakdown of the schedule:
- 1st March – 5th March: Stage 1
- 7th March – 11th March: Stage 2
- 13th March: Quarterfinals
- 14th March: Quarterfinals
- 15th March: Semifinals
- 16th March: Finals
With exciting matches scheduled throughout, be sure to follow the tournament to catch all the action!
Where to Watch ESL Pro League Season 21
The entire tournament will be broadcasted across multiple platforms, including Twitch, YouTube, and the official ESL Website. Here are the main streams:
Stream:
Stay updated with live scores, the latest news, and more as the tournament unfolds.
Final Thoughts
The ESL Pro League Season 21 promises to deliver some of the best Counter-Strike action we’ve seen, with a highly competitive lineup of teams, an exciting three-stage format, and a massive prize pool on the line. Whether you’re a fan of CS:GO or just love watching top-tier esports, this tournament is not to be missed.
Be sure to follow the schedule closely, and catch all the action on the official streams. The journey to the trophy will be intense, and you won’t want to miss a moment of it.
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