ESL introduced the updated format of the ESL Pro League series
Tournament operator ESL has unveiled an updated format for its main ESL Pro League series. As changes, the organizers touched upon the format of the Conference qualifying championship, increased the number of participants in the ESL Pro League, and also made changes to the schedule and format of the championship.
Our mission is to serve the community, and every discussion and decision made takes this into account. Throughout 2022, we have been evaluating the state of the ESL Pro League and looking to make positive changes to the product. We have set three priorities for ourselves: add more meaningful matches, ensure a wider and more global representation of teams, and improve the quality of broadcasts. We believe that the changes that we have begun to implement and that are yet to come put us on the right track to move forward.
Line-up of ESL Pro League Season 17 participants:
- ESL partner teams: Astralis, BIG, Complexity Gaming, ENCE, Evil Geniuses, FaZe Clan, Fnatic, FURIA, G2 Esports, Heroic, MOUZ, NAVI, Ninjas in Pajamas, Team Liquid and Vitality
- Three teams that qualified by winning the ESL Challenger series: Movistar Riders, Outsiders and paiN Gaming
- Three teams that qualified based on their position in the ESL World Rankings: Cloud9, OG and Team Spirit
- Eleven teams from the ESL Pro League Season 17 Conference
Starting from ESL Pro League Season 17, a total of 32 teams will take part in the group stage. All participants will be divided into four groups of eight teams - a group with a double elimination, as well as a last chance bracket. Then four teams from each group will advance to the single elimination playoff bracket, where they will fight for the right to become the winner of the ESL Pro League.
It is reported that the decision to abandon the previous format of the group stage was caused by a large number of matches that did not affect the development of the tournament.
In addition, the ESL Pro League Season 17 Conference will be the last such championship. The organizers also moved the competition to January 16 and moved it to an online format. From here, eleven teams qualify for the ESL Pro League Season 17 group stage.
The distribution of teams starting from ESL Pro League Season 18 will include:
- Fifteen partner organizations Astralis, BIG, Complexity Gaming, ENCE, Evil Geniuses, FaZe Clan, Fnatic, FURIA, G2 Esports, Heroic, MOUZ, NAVI, Ninjas in Pajamas, Team Liquid and Vitality
- Four teams from Europe
- Three teams based on the ESL world rankings
- Two teams each from North America, South America, Asia and Oceania
- ESL Challenger Tournament Winners
ESL Pro League Season 17 will now run from February 22 to March 26, a week shorter than previously announced due to the Conference qualifier being pushed back a month early.
The upcoming ESL Pro League Season 17 Conference will be divided into regions to match the updated format.
Europe (three teams will advance to ESL Pro League Season 17):
- Team Falcons
- 9INE
- end point
- Sprout
- Permitta Esports
- Case Esports
- HEET
- Eternal Fire
- KRC Genk Esports
- Babos Gaming
- forZe
- Partizan Esports
- SAW
North America (two teams will advance to ESL Pro League Season 17):
- MIBR
- ATK
- nouns
South America (two teams will advance to ESL Pro League Season 17):
- 00NATION
- Imperial Esports
- Qualifying winner
Asia (two teams will advance to ESL Pro League Season 17):
- Lynn Vision Gaming
- Rare Atom
- IHC Esports
Oceania (two teams will advance to ESL Pro League Season 17):
- Grayhound Gaming
- Rooster
- Qualifying winner
These competitions will run during the week of January 16-21 and a follow-up announcement will be posted detailing the exact format and daily schedule.
Future ESL Pro League events in 2024 are expected to follow the same format as 2023 events and will be announced at a later date.
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