ESL adjusts Challenger League Asia format to include ESL Pro League qualification

Esports tournament organiser ESL has updated its format for the Asia finals of ESL Challenger League Season 51.

The new format backtracks on a previous decision by the tournament organiser to remove the regional Counter-Strike 2 event’s link to the ESL Pro League.

For the four ESL Challenger League Season 51 Oceania Cup events, the winners of the four cups will earn a place in the Asia-Oceania Regional Finals, combining Oceania and Asia together. Instead of a four-team tournament taking place, eight teams will compete in a single-elimination bracket for a chance to earn a place at ESL Pro League.

In addition to reintroducing a pathway to the Pro League, ESL has also added best-of-three quarter-final matches, turning the Regional Finals into a four-day tournament. The Grand Final will be contested over a best-of-five series, following similar formulas to other ESL-hosted events.

The changes to ESL Challenger League in Oceania and Asia come after the event organiser unveiled a new format on November 27th. The changes initially included an expansion from eight teams to ten, but removed the pathway to qualify for ESL Pro League Season 24.

ESL Challenger League has frequently provided teams from Oceania with a pathway to compete in one of Counter-Strike’s longest-standing tournaments. In Season 22, Rooster competed at the event, failing to win any of its three Stage 1 matches.

Taking place from February 17th to 24th, 2026, ten teams will compete in the first cup of Season 51. Eight of the ten teams will receive direct invitations through January’s Valve Regional Standings (VRS), while the sides of Muttley Crew and Exsto Gaming have already secured their places through ESEA Open Season 54.

The change to the format is a positive for teams competing in Oceania who are seeking opportunities to compete in high-profile events featuring the best teams in the world.