ESL Pro League Season 23 Stage 2 Preview

The first stage of ESL Pro League Season 23 is now over and has shown which teams are ready to fight until the very end. Some teams confidently passed the opening stage and earned the right to continue their run in the tournament. Up next is the crucial Stage 2, where the level of competition will be significantly higher and every match will matter even more. At this stage, teams will compete for playoff spots and the chance to keep fighting for the title.

Format and Dates of ESL Pro League Season 23 Stage 2

ESL Pro League Season 23 Stage 2 will take place from March 6 to March 10, 2026, in a 16-team Swiss System format, with all matches played as Bo3. The top eight teams will advance to the LAN Finals. The squads that made it through the challenges of Stage 1 will be joined by invited teams such as Natus Vincere, FURIA, and MOUZ. Just like the first stage, Stage 2 will also be played in an online format. The level of competition will increase significantly at this stage, as playoff spots will be on the line.

Teams to Watch in ESL Pro League Season 23 Stage 2

It is worth paying attention to FUT Esports and Legacy, the two teams that passed Stage 1 with a perfect 3–0 record. While the competition in the first stage was not the highest, in Counter-Strike 2 even clear favorites can lose. That is why these teams are worth watching, as they could become real “dark horses” and surprise not only fans but also their opponents.

At the same time, top-tier teams will enter the competition in Stage 2, including Natus Vincere, FURIA, Team Spirit, MOUZ, and The MongolZ. Some of these teams may not be in their best form at the moment, which could lead to unexpected difficulties. Another interesting factor is the absence of Team Vitality, who are currently at the top of the scene after winning IEM Krakow 2026 and PGL Cluj-Napoca 2026. In some ways, this makes the race for the trophy a bit more open for the remaining teams.

Favorites, Dark Horses, and Underdogs at ESL Pro League Season 23 Stage 2

Among the main favorites for this stage are Team Spirit, Natus Vincere, FURIA, and The MongolZ. All of these teams have enough experience and individual skill to successfully pass Stage 2 and fight for playoff spots. It is also worth mentioning MOUZ, who remain a strong contender for top placements. However, the team has often stopped at the playoff stage of major tournaments, so they may also face serious challenges even at this point of the competition.

The “dark horses” of this stage could be FUT Esports and Legacy, who confidently passed Stage 1 with a perfect 3–0 record. Their performance showed that both teams are in good form and capable of challenging even stronger opponents.

Among the underdogs, HEROIC, Monte, and B8 stand out. While the first two teams already gained match experience and momentum during Stage 1, the level of competition in Stage 2 will be significantly higher. As for B8, the team has shown inconsistent results in recent events, which could affect their performance in this stage.

Where to Watch ESL Pro League Season 23 Stage 2

Stage 2 of ESL Pro League Season 23 begins tomorrow, March 6, with the first matches scheduled for 12:30 CET. You can follow the action on the official YouTube and Twitch channels of ESL.

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