Two surprise packages rose to the top seeds in ESL Pro League Season 22 Stage 1. Inner Circle and HOTU finished 1st to 2nd and move on with real momentum. Just behind them, Gentle Mates, 3DMAX, and GamerLegion claimed 3rd to 5th and also advanced. FURIA, Astralis, and G2 made it through after a bumpy ride, placing 6th to 8th and securing Stage 2 spots.
Stage 2 puts the top seeds on trial, with Inner Circle and HOTU finally meeting tier one opposition. Vitality, Spirit, The MongolZ and MOUZ should set the pace through deeper map pools, while G2 and Astralis and Falcons chase success. In a Swiss format, a fast 2 to 0 start can all but book a playoff spot, so opening day will matter.
Dates and location
️ October 4th – October 12th, 2025
Stockholm, Sweden
Prize: $1,000,000
Format
- Group stage: Swiss Bo3, 8 team qualify for playoffs.
- Playoffs: Single elimination Bo3
- 3rd place decider: Bo3
- Grand Final: Bo5
Attending teams
- The MongolZ
- FURIA
- Vitality
- Spirit
- Falcons
- MOUZ
- Aurora
- G2
- Natus Vincere
- Astralis
- 3DMAX
- FaZe
- GamerLegion
- Gentle Mates
- Inner Circle
- HOTU
How to watch
ESL Counter-Strike on YouTube
