ESL Pro League Season 18
ESL Pro League Season 18 is the eighteenth season of the ESL Pro League tournament series hosted by ESL. Part of the global Intel Grand Slam series, where the world's strongest teams battle it out for $1,000,000.
The new season of one of the largest CSGO tournaments takes place in the usual place for the series - in Malta, in the city of Saint Julian's. The prize pool for the title championship will be $850,000. The games will be played over a month-long period from 30 August to 1 October 2023.
There are no changes from the previous season, i.e. EPL Season 17. There are 32 teams in the race for the top prize money.
Match schedule
Bracket
Map pool
Basic information about ESL Pro League Season 18
EPL S18 is the next championship of one of the most prestigious series in modern professional CSGO. The global tournament offers participants a total prize pool of $850,000. In addition to cash prizes, teams will compete for a trip to IEM Katowice 2024, Blast World Final 2023 and the opportunity to become Intel Grand Slam champion.
The venue for the month-long battles is Saint Julian's, Malta, and the deciding matches will take place at the 1,700-capacity InterContinental Malta. ESL Pro League Season 18 runs from 30 August to 10 October 2023.
The backbone of the participants will be made up of ESL Pro League partner teams, which consistently participate in the tournaments of the series. However, it should be noted that in the future CS will move away from the system of partner leagues.
Astralis, BIG, Complexity Gaming, ENCE, Evil Geniuses, FaZe Clan, Fnatic, FURIA, 9z">G2 Esports, Heroic, MOUZ, Natus Vincere, Ninjas in Pyjamas, Team Liquid, Team Vitality play on ESL Pro League Season 18.
Movistar Rider, Virtus.pro, Cloud9, GamerLegion, 9INE, Monte, MIBR, Lynn Vision Gaming, Apeks, M80, 5yclone, Eternal Fire, ORKS, Imperial Esports, Greyhound Gaming, 9z Team, Rooster have received additional slots for EPL season 18.
Due to the large number of participants, ESL Pro League Season 18 features a unique championship format. EPL S18 uses the Triple-Elimination format for group stage games.
ESL Pro League Season 18 tournament format
The ESL Pro League Season 18 tournament is organised in two stages. There is a Triple-Elimination group stage and play-offs.
Group Stage ESL Pro League Season 18
The group stage is played according to the Triple-Elimination system, where 32 participants are divided into 4 equal groups. In each group, the teams start their battles from the first round.
The losers of the first round fall into the "middle" grid, where they play each other for further passage to the play-offs. Participants who fail the middle grid matches go to the lower grid.
From the group stage to the play-offs there are 4 teams: 2 from the main grid, 1 from the "middle" and 1 from the lower grid. The total number of play-offs participants is 16 teams.
ESL Pro League Season 18 Playoffs
The main stage is played according to the Single-Elimination format, with seeding depending on the result of performance in the groups. The winners of their respective baskets qualify for the quarter-finals, the winners of the "middle" group qualify for the second round, and the remaining teams start their journey to the cup from the first round of play-offs.
All games are played to 2 wins (bo3). ESL Pro League Grand Final is played to 3 wins (bo5).
ESL Pro League Season 18 FAQ
Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about ESL Pro League.
Who is the current ESL Pro League Champion?
The champion of ESL Pro League Season 17 is FaZe Clan. In the final of The International tournament FaZe's roster defeated Cloud9 with the score 3-1.
What is the prize fund of ESL Pro League?
The prize money of ESL Pro League Season 18 is $850,000. In addition, the winner of the tournament will get a slot at IEM Katowice 2024 and BLAST World Finals 2023.
How many teams are playing in the ESL Pro League?
Starting with ESL Pro League Season 17, there are 32 teams playing in the tournament. ESL Pro League Season 18 features 15 partner teams and 17 teams that qualified for the championship from third-party events.
How much do ESL Pro League tickets cost?
Tickets for ESL Pro League Season 18 will go on sale closer to the Long Camp play-offs stage of the championship. There were two versions of tickets for EPL S17: a one-day ticket for €10 and a 3-day pass for €25.
Where to watch ESL Pro League matches?
All group stage matches and play-offs will be broadcast on the official ESL channels on Twitch and YouTube, as well as on the channels of the studios that have the rights to show ESL events.
In addition, match broadcasts and all information about ESL Pro League Season 18 games can be found on our portal - EGamersWorld - on the event page and the matches/tournaments section.