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ESL Pro League S23: Schedule, Teams, Format, and More
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
Stage 1 Invited Teams
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Legacy
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G2 Esports
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Team Liquid
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3DMAX
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Astralis
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HEROIC
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paiN Gaming
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FUT Esports
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Ninjas in Pyjamas
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Passion UA
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PARIVISION
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NRG
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Gaimin Gladiators
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SemperFi Esports
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M80
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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
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HEROIC vs NRG - 2:30 am PST / 11:30 am CET
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PARIVISION vs SemperFi - 2:30 am PST / 11:30 am CET
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G2 vs Gaimin Gladiators - 5 am PST / 2 pm CET
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Astralis vs Monte - 5 am PST / 2 pm CET
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Ninjas in Pyjamas vs Legacy - 7:30 am PST / 4:30 pm CET
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FUT vs M80 - 7:30 am PST / 4:30 pm CET
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Liquid vs Passion UA - 10 am PST / 7 pm CET
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3DMAX vs paiN - 10 am PST / 7 pm CET
Monday, March 2nd
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Swiss Round 2 #1 - 2:30 am PST / 11:30 am CET
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Swiss Round 2 #2 - 2:30 am PST / 11:30 am CET
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Swiss Round 2 #3 - 5 am PST / 2 pm CET
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Swiss Round 2 #4 - 5 am PST / 2 pm CET
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Swiss Round 2 #5 - 7:30 am PST / 4:30 pm CET
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Swiss Round 2 #6 - 7:30 am PST / 4:30 pm CET
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Swiss Round 2 #7 - 10 am PST / 7 pm CET
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Swiss Round 2 #8 - 10 am PST / 7 pm CET
Tuesday, March 3rd
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Swiss Round 3 #1 - 2:30 am PST / 11:30 am CET
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Swiss Round 3 #2 - 2:30 am PST / 11:30 am CET
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Swiss Round 3 #3 - 5 am PST / 2 pm CET
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Swiss Round 3 #4 - 5 am PST / 2 pm CET
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Swiss Round 3 #5 - 7:30 am PST / 4:30 pm CET
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Swiss Round 3 #6 - 7:30 am PST / 4:30 pm CET
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Swiss Round 3 #7 - 10 am PST / 7 pm CET
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Swiss Round 3 #8 - 10 am PST / 7 pm CET
Wednesday, March 4th
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Swiss Round 4 #1 - 4:30 am PST / 1:30 pm CET
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Swiss Round 4 #2 - 4:30 am PST / 1:30 pm CET
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Swiss Round 4 #3 - 7 am PST / 4 pm CET
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Swiss Round 4 #4 - 7 am PST / 4 pm CET
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Swiss Round 4 #5 - 9:30 am PST / 6:30 pm CET
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Swiss Round 4 #6 - 9:30 am PST / 6:30 pm CET
Thursday, March 5th
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Swiss Round 5 #1 - 4:30 am PST / 1:30 pm CET
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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
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