The ESL Pro League will return to a live audience format in 2026, with its Season 24 Finals scheduled to take place at Katowice’s Spodek Arena from 9 to 11 October.
Organiser ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) confirmed that the iconic Polish venue, long associated with major Counter-Strike (CS) tournaments, will host the closing stages of the league. The decision is part of EFG’s plan to bring the Pro League Playoffs back to an arena setting after several years without in-person finals.
Season 24 will run from 24 September to 11 October 2026, offering a total prize pool of $1 million. The top teams will compete for the trophy inside Spodek Arena, which has staged numerous high-profile moments in esports over the years but seen the Intel Extreme Masters (IEM), one of the most prestigious CS events in the scene, move to Tauron Arena in Kraków earlier this year.
EFG and the city of Katowice intend to extend their collaboration, with the Mayor of Katowice, Marcin Krupa, calling the event’s return “a sign of trust and recognition” for the city’s longstanding relationship with ESL. He said Katowice would once again be the stage where Counter-Strike history is made, with fans travelling from across the globe to attend.
Marc Winther, EFG’s Director of Game Ecosystems for Counter-Strike, said that hosting the finals in Katowice was fitting given its role in the game’s competitive legacy. “With its storied history and inimitable atmosphere, there’s no better place for our fans to enjoy the thrill of ESL Pro League live,” he stated.
The most recent arena playoffs for the league were held in 2019 in Odense, Denmark, with earlier editions also staged in Montpellier, France; Dallas, USA; and São Paulo, Brazil. Ticketing information for the Katowice finals will be released at a later date.
