ESL Pro League Season 21: Complete Guide to Play-In Teams and Tournament Format
The ESL Pro League Season 21 Play-In stage features 16 CS2 teams competing for four coveted spots in the regular season. Running December 12-14, 2023, this tournament marks the first major professional Counter-Strike 2 competition on LAN.
Single-elimination brackets will determine which teams advance, with all matches being best-of-three format. The tournament takes place at ESL's studio in Malta, offering a $20,000 prize pool.
Notable Teams:
- FURIA and paiN Gaming represent South America
- Aurora, Spirit, and K23 lead the CIS region contenders
- European teams include GamerLegion, ECSTATIC, and Into The Breach
- North American hopes rest with Complexity and M80
Tournament Format:
- 16 teams divided into four brackets
- Each bracket winner qualifies for EPL Season 21
- All matches are best-of-three
- Winners advance directly to regular season
- Losing teams must wait for future qualification opportunities
Key Favorites:
- Team Spirit - Consistent performances and strategic depth
- Complexity - Strong North American roster with international experience
- FURIA - Proven track record in major competitions
Emerging Underdogs:
- Aurora - Showing promise with recent roster changes
- Into The Breach - Potential dark horse with solid teamwork
- M80 - Rising North American talent
The Play-In stage serves as a crucial stepping stone for teams aiming to compete against top-tier organizations in the regular season. Success here could define their trajectory for the entire 2024 competitive calendar.
Teams advancing will join established names like FaZe Clan, Team Vitality, and NAVI in the regular season, scheduled for early 2024.
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