The ESL FACEIT Group has detailed the competitive structure for its Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) tournament ESL Pro League Season 24 in 2026, confirming a $1 million prize pool and a streamlined 16-team format.
The information solidifies the planned changes for the event, which was previously announced to be a full LAN competition in Katowice, Poland. This new format reduces the number of participating teams and condenses the event into a two-week schedule.
The shift to a 16-team format is a key change from previous seasons. The tournament will begin with a Swiss system group stage, with all matches being best-of-three. The top eight teams from this stage will advance to a single-elimination playoff bracket. This structural overhaul reduces the event’s duration from three weeks to two.
ESL stated that “these changes only relate to Season 24 for now,” and that the organisation will continue to gather feedback from the community and participants for future seasons.
The financial stakes remain high, with the total prize pool standing at $1,000,000. The championship team will receive $125,000, with an additional $170,000 allocated as a club reward. The event will also contribute to the ESL Grand Slam race, where teams can compete for a chance to win a further $1,000,000.
The majority of the 16 slots will be filled via Global VRS Invites, with one spot each for the winners of the ESL Challenger League in Europe, North America, South America, and Asia. The event is classified as a Tier 1 Wildcard tournament under Valve’s requirements.
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