Esports tournament organiser ESL has announced that the finals of ESL Pro League Season 23 will take place in front of a live audience.
Taking place from March 13th to 15th, 2026, at Stockholm’s Annexet, fans will have an opportunity to watch the world’s best Counter-Strike 2 teams in action.
Eight teams will earn a place at the arena, which has a capacity of 3,950 people, and compete for a share of a $1m (~£750,940) prize. The ESL Pro League also contributes to the ESL Grand Slam, an initiative providing teams competing on the ESL Pro Tour a chance to win an additional $1m prize.
The quarter-finals and semi-finals will use a best-of-three series to determine the winners, while the Grand Final will feature a best-of-five series to decide the ESL Pro League Season 23 champion.
“We’re excited to bring ESL Pro League back to this setting, as Counter-Strike is best played in front of a live audience when the stakes are at their highest, and the trophy needs to be hoisted,” said Marc Winther, Director of Esports – Counter-Strike at ESL FACEIT Group.
ESL Pro League Season 23 marks the first time the long-standing Counter-Strike league has taken place in front of a live audience since 2019. Over the past six years, ESL has held the event within its Stockholm-based studio.
ESL In 2025
ESL continues to cement its place among the leading esports tournament organisers. In November, it shared details on qualifiers for next year’s Pro Tour events along with further integrity measures to ensure fair play is maintained in online matches.
While the tournament organiser continues looking ahead, ESL continues to streamline its operations. October saw it undergo layoffs as part of a strategic realignment aiming to ensure sustainable growth.
In addition to layoffs, the tournament organiser revealed the indefinite suspension of ESL Impact, the largest women’s Counter-Strike 2 circuit.
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