The ESL Pro League (EPL) Season 21 is shaping up to be a monumental event in 2025, with significant changes to the format, location, and team composition. FaZe Clan, one of the most prominent teams in Counter-Strike history, has opted to skip the tournament, leaving a coveted spot open for GamerLegion. This decision, along with updates to the league’s structure, has created ripples throughout the competitive CS2 community.
ESL Pro League Season 21: The Invited Teams
A total of 12 teams have secured direct invitations to ESL Pro League Season 21, joining 12 other squads that earned their spots through ESL Challenger leagues and regional tournaments. These invitations were distributed based on the Valve Global Standings (VGS) as of January 6, 2025.
Notable highlights include:
- FaZe Clan’s Decline: FaZe’s absence marks a rare decision to forgo one of the calendar’s major tournaments. This withdrawal provided an opportunity for GamerLegion, who have stepped in as replacements.
- Teams on the Brink: Complexity, BIG, and Astralis narrowly missed securing an invitation, showcasing the tight competition within the VGS.
The invited teams, alongside their Challenger counterparts, promise to deliver a high-octane tournament featuring the best in the CS2 scene.
Why FaZe Opted Out
FaZe’s decision to skip ESL Pro League Season 21 comes amidst a packed tournament schedule for 2025. The year has seen a resurgence of organizers like PGL and StarLadder, filling the competitive landscape with more events than ever. Notably:
- Scheduling Conflicts: EPL Season 21 is sandwiched between PGL Cluj-Napoca and BLAST Open Lisbon, making it challenging for teams to balance preparation and performance across multiple tournaments.
- Strategic Focus: FaZe’s decision may reflect a strategy to prioritize key events over a congested calendar, ensuring peak performance at the year’s most prestigious competitions.
Changes in ESL Pro League Season 21
The 2025 edition of the ESL Pro League introduces several notable changes aimed at enhancing the competitive integrity and viewer experience of the tournament.
New Location: Sweden
After years in Malta, the league has relocated to Sweden, a nation with a rich history in Counter-Strike esports. This move is expected to reignite local fan interest and celebrate the legacy of Swedish teams and players in CS2.
Revamped Tournament Format
EPL Season 21 adopts a new structure:
- Double Swiss System: The tournament will feature two Major-style Swiss group stages, offering a more dynamic and competitive path to the playoffs.
- Eight-Team Playoffs: The top-performing teams from the Swiss stages will progress to a single-elimination bracket, ensuring that only the most consistent squads reach the final stages.
This format change addresses past criticisms of lengthy group stages and guarantees high-stakes matches throughout the tournament.
GamerLegion’s Opportunity
FaZe’s decision has opened the door for GamerLegion, a team that has steadily climbed the ranks in recent months. This inclusion provides GamerLegion with a chance to prove their mettle against some of the best teams in the world.
- Potential Upsets: GamerLegion’s inclusion could result in surprising outcomes, especially if they capitalize on this unique opportunity.
- Building Momentum: For emerging teams, participation in EPL is an invaluable experience that can shape their trajectory in CS2.
Teams to Watch
While FaZe’s absence is significant, the lineup of invited teams still includes some of the biggest names in CS2. Fans can look forward to standout performances from:
- G2 Esports: Consistently among the top-ranked teams, G2 is poised to make a deep run.
- Heroic: Featuring the ex-Sangal core, Heroic brings a mix of veteran expertise and fresh talent.
- NRG and TYLOO: Internationally diverse squads that add unique flair to the competition.
The absence of FaZe and the newly revamped format mean the tournament is set to offer a blend of fierce competition and unexpected narratives, ensuring fans have plenty to anticipate in the coming weeks.