The highly anticipated ESL Pro League Season 21 tournament has advanced to the playoff stage, featuring eight of the strongest contenders out of the initial 24 participants. eSports analysts have provided insights into potential winners as the competition heats up.
Significance of ESL Pro League Season 21
ESL Pro League Season 21 stands as one of the most prestigious S-Tier tournaments in Counter-Strike 2 history. With its inaugural event held a decade ago, it has become a cornerstone of the esports landscape.
As part of the esteemed Intel Grand Slam, which boasts a staggering $1,000,000 prize pool for teams that win four major tournaments, ESL Pro League significantly impacts player rankings, influencing invitations to future competitions.
Format and Prize Pool for ESL Pro League Season 21
Set to take place from March 1 to 16, 2025, at the ESL Studio in Stockholm, Sweden, the tournament features sponsorship from major international brands. The partnership supports the growth and promotion of esports on a global scale.
In the initial stage from March 1 to 5, 16 teams competed in a Bo3 Swiss format to secure their place in the top 8. The second stage, occurring from March 7 to 11, brought together the top eight from the first stage along with eight directly invited teams based on Valve’s global rankings. The participants engaged in Bo3 Swiss matches to finalize the playoff contenders.
The playoff stage, occurring from March 13-16, will follow a single-elimination bracket format, ensuring that every match is critical—any loss leads to immediate elimination.
The total prize pool for ESL Pro League Season 21 stands at $1,000,000, allocated as follows: $400,000 will be awarded to players, while $600,000 will go to the clubs. The prize distribution for the top finalists is as follows:
- 1st Place: $100,000 to players + $150,000 to the club = $250,000
- 2nd Place: $50,000 to players + $75,000 to the club = $125,000
- 3rd-4th Place: $25,000 to players + $55,000 to the club = $80,000
- 5th-8th Place: $18,000 to players + $40,000 to the club = $58,000
All participating teams will receive prize money, but only the top 14 will see payouts directed to their clubs.
Participants and Favorites for ESL Pro League Season 21
The tournament features 24 teams, with the eight top-rated teams starting in the second stage:
- G2 Esports
- Team Spirit
- The MongolZ
- Team Vitality
- MOUZ
- NAVI
- Team Falcons
- Team Liquid
FaZe Clan declined their invitation due to recent performance issues, opting for a break, while the 1xBet Mongolia platform will be eagerly watching their team among the elite.
The remaining 16 teams, selected based on their Valve rankings and strong performances in previous tournaments, include: FURIA, 3DMAX, Eternal Fire, GamerLegion, FlyQuest, SAW, HEROIC, Nemiga Gaming, M80, NRG, TYLOO, Lynn Vision, paiN Gaming, MIBR, Mindfreak, and Housebets.
Reaching the second stage is a significant achievement for many of these teams, with the primary contenders likely being those in the top eight.
Ultimately, GamerLegion, SAW, 3DMAX, Eternal Fire, MIBR, FURIA, paiN Gaming, and TYLOO advanced from the first stage, but only Eternal Fire progressed to the playoffs after overcoming Team Falcons in a crucial match.
As the playoffs approach, Team Vitality, Natus Vincere, MOUZ, and Team Spirit are among the favorites, poised to advance and contend for the championship title.
