Thursday, February 27, 2025, Stockholm: ESL Pro League (EPL), the world’s biggest Counter-Strike League, returns for its 21st season. Building on a decade-long legacy that began in 2015, EPL Season 21 will bring together 24 Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) teams to Stockholm, Sweden, on March 1–16, 2025. With $1,000,000 total winnings and the coveted EPL trophy on the line, this season promises three weeks of relentless, high‑stakes action and unforgettable esports moments.
EPL Season 21 will also award teams with valuable VRS* points to secure future eligibility for ESL Pro Tour (EPT) tournaments. Additionally, the champions will earn a crucial point in the race for the Grand Slam V to claim the $1,000,000 cash prize.
Schedule and Format
The competition kicks off on March 1 as teams from around the world battle to secure their spots in the Playoff stage of the tournament. Season 21 will feature several changes, including the number of participating teams, changes to the tournament format, and more to maximize competitive integrity and viewer engagement. Full details are available on the ESL Pro Tour CS website.
Stage 1 (March 1–5):
- 16 teams compete in a Swiss Tournament format
- All matches are best-of-three
- The eight best teams advance to Stage 2 of the competition
Stage 2 (March 7–11):
- The eight best teams from Stage 1 join the eight direct Global VRS invites and compete in a Swiss Tournament format
- All matches are best-of-three
- The eight best teams advance to the Playoffs
Playoffs (March 13–16):
- Top eight teams go head-to-head in a single-elimination bracket
- Quarterfinals and Semifinals are best‑of‑three
- The Grand Final is a best‑of‑five
Teams Attending
Following Valve’s updated operational guidelines for Counter-Strike esports, EPL Season 21 is designated as a transition season that honors the EPT qualifications from 2024. Accordingly, winners and runners‑up from ESL Challenger League Season 48 across all five regions, together with the champions from ESL Challenger Atlanta and Katowice, are granted eligibility to compete. A breakdown of the Team Selected Seeding process and how teams will be ranked going forward is available HERE.
The full EPL Season 21 lineup includes:
Total Winnings: $1,000,000 | |||
Place | Total Winnings | Player Prize Money | Club Prize Money |
1st | $250,000 | $100,000 | $150,000 |
2nd | $125,000 | $50,000 | $75,000 |
3rd-4th | $80,000 | $25,000 | $55,000 |
5th-8th | $58,000 | $18,000 | $40,000 |
9th – 11th | $38,500 | $13,500 | $25,000 |
12th – 14th | $20,500 | $10,500 | $10,000 |
15th-16th | $8,500 | $8,500 | – |
17th-19th | $6,500 | $6,500 | – |
20st-22th | $4,500 | $4,500 | – |
Broadcast Talent
ESL Pro League continues its tradition of delivering a unique viewing experience. The tournament will once again feature top broadcast talent and dynamic commentary throughout the competition.
Desk Hosts:
- Freya “Freya” Spiers
- Tres “stunna” Saranthus
Stream A:
- Alex “Machine” Richardson
- Janko “YNk” Paunović
- Chad “SPUNJ” BurchillChad “SPUNJ” Burchill
- Harry “JustHarry” Russell
- Henry “HenryG” Greer
- Hugo “Hugo” Byron
- Jason “moses” O’Tool
- Joshua “steel” Nissan
Stream B:
- Cole “xner” McHenry
- Harvey “Skriv” Rodgers
- Mike “DarfMike” Winnick
- Neo “Ne0kai” Caine
Where to Watch
The live broadcast will be available on FACEIT Watch, featuring a unique multi-perspective view selector where users can watch up to four players’ perspectives, including the main tournament stream. It enables viewers to pause and rewind, with access to killcams and live-generated replays of key moments. The platform also allows fans to adjust the volume of casters and multi-perspective sounds, as well as disabling spoilers, letting them personalize how they engage with the streaming content. Additionally, those tuning in via FACEIT Watch will have an opportunity to win a selection of valuable skins each day.
Additionally, you can tune in live on ESL Counter-Strike Twitch and YouTube channels, as well as via dedicated broadcast partners. For those unable to tune in live, all matches will also be available to watch on-demand via FACEIT Watch and YouTube.
For more information about ESL Pro League Season 21, and the latest updates on the event, please visit the official website, and follow ESL Counter-Strike on X, Facebook, and Instagram.
*VRS – Valve Regional Standings
