One of the most iconic Counter-Strike tournaments, ESL Pro League, is back for its 21st season, marking the 10-year anniversary of the prominent event.
This year’s edition brings elite competition, a $1 million prize pool, and a brand-new host city – Stockholm, Sweden. Fans can expect world-class action from March 7-14, 2025, with a play-in stage determining the final participants beforehand.
With top contenders like Team Spirit, G2 Esports, and Vitality set to battle it out, here’s everything you need to know about ESL Pro League Season 21, including the tournament format, participating teams, prize pool, and winner favorites.
Play-In Stage: The Road to Stockholm
Before the main event begins, 16 teams will compete for the final 8 spots at ESL Pro League Season 21. The play-in stage will run from March 1-5, 2025, using a Swiss System format where all matches are Best-of-3 (Bo3).
Here are the 16 teams competing in the play-in stage:
- Eternal Fire
- paiN
- 3DMAX
- GamerLegion
- FURIA
- MIBR
- SAW
- HEROIC
- FlyQuest
- M80
- NRG
- Nemiga
- Lynn Vision
- TYLOO
- Housebets
- Mindfreak
The top 8 teams from this stage will advance to Stage 2, joining the 8 directly invited teams.
Tournament Format
Play-In Stage
- 16 teams compete in a Swiss System format
- All matches are Best-of-3 (Bo3)
- Top 8 teams qualify for Stage 2
Stage 2
- 16 teams compete in a Swiss System format
- All matches are Best-of-3 (Bo3)
- Top 8 teams advance to Playoffs
Playoffs
- Single-Elimination bracket
- Quarterfinals & Semifinals: Best-of-3 (Bo3)
- Grand Final: Best-of-5 (Bo5)
Invited Teams for ESL Pro League Season 21
These 8 teams have received direct invitations to Stage 2 of the event, due to their VRS ranking.
- Spirit
- Vitality
- NAVI
- G2 Esports
- The MongolZ
- MOUZ
- Liquid
- Falcons
These teams will await the 8 best teams from the play-in stage before the real battle begins.
Prize Pool Distribution
A total of $1,000,000 is up for grabs at ESL Pro League Season 21. Here’s how the prize money will be split:
- 1st place – $100,000 (+ club share: $150,000)
- 2nd place – $50,000 (+ club share: $75,000)
- 3rd-4th place – $25,000 (+ club share: $55,000)
- 5th-8th place – $18,000 (+ club share: $40,000)
- 9th-11th place – $13,500 (+ club share: $25,000)
- 12th-14th place – $10,500 (+ club share: $10,000)
- 15th-16th place – $8,500
Bookmakers’ favourite
Here are the bookmakers’ favourites to win ESL Pro League Season 21 (odds are taken from Bet365):
- Team Spirit – 3.50
- Team Vitality – 3.75
- Natus Vincere – 6.00
- Eternal Fire – 8.00
- G2 Esports – 8.00
- The MongolZ – 8.50
- MOUZ – 11.00
- Team Liquid – 17.00
- Falcons – 17.00
- HEROIC – 26.00
- FURIA – 34.00
- paiN Gaming – 41.00
- 3DMAX – 51.00
- GamerLegion – 51.00
- MIBR – 67.00
- M80 – 101.00
- SAW – 151.00
- Nemiga – 151.00
- FlyQuest – 251.00
- NRG – 251.00
- Lynn Vision – 501.00
- TYLOO – 1001.00
- Mindfreak – 1501.00
- Housebets – 2501.00
Place your bets right here.
How to Watch ESL Pro League Season 21
All matches from ESL Pro League Season 21 will be broadcast live on ESL’s official channels:
