ESL Pro League Season 18: The Groups are Set!!

The esports community is gearing up for five weeks of thrilling competition as ESL Pro League Season 18 approaches. With a grand prize of $200,000 for the champions, this flagship league promises non-stop action and intense battles as 32 elite teams from around the globe gather to vie for supremacy.

Kicking off the Tournament: Overview and Prize Pool

ESL Pro League Season 18 is all set to kick off on Wednesday, featuring an impressive lineup of 32 teams ready to stake their claim to the lion's share of an impressive $850,000 prize pool. Notably, the victorious team will not only walk away with the prestigious title but also secure a spot in the BLAST Premier World Final 2023. The tournament will be held in the picturesque Saint Julian's, Malta, adding an exciting backdrop to the fierce clashes on the virtual battlefield.

Structure and Participants

This season's lineup boasts a stellar array of teams, comprising most of the top 20 squads in the world, with one notable exception. Among the participants, 15 teams have received invitations based on their partnership with ESL, while the remaining slots have been secured through the organizer's ranking system or successful campaigns in various regional qualifying events.

The teams have been strategically divided into four groups of eight, setting the stage for intense group-stage battles. In each group, the top-placed team will secure a direct berth in the quarter-finals, effectively bypassing the initial knockout rounds. The second and third-placed teams will progress to the playoffs, each vying for a coveted spot in the later stages of the competition.

Group Stage Drama and Knockout Battles

The group stage, spanning four weeks, will be the battleground where teams compete fiercely to secure their positions. As the tension mounts, the second and third-placed teams from each group will advance to the respective playoff rounds. Teams eliminated from the group stage will find their last hope in the Last Chance Stage, a single-elimination bracket where they will fight tooth and nail for their tournament survival.

The Grand Finale: Playoffs and Beyond

The grand culmination of ESL Pro League Season 18 will unfold in the playoffs, commencing on September 24. The playoffs will follow a classic single-elimination bracket format, with matches escalating from best-of-three duels to the climactic best-of-five final showdown. As the stakes rise and the pressure mounts, fans can expect to witness some of the most intense and captivating esports action of the year.

Meet the Contenders: Participating Teams

Group A

• Vitality
• Astralis
• GamerLegion
• Ninjas in Pyjamas
• FURIA
• Grayhound
• Movistar Riders
• ORKS

Group B

• Heroic
• ENCE
• MOUZ
• Monte
• BIG
• Evil Geniuses
• MIBR
• Rooster

Group C

• FaZe Clan
• Natus Vincere
• Apeks
• fnatic
• Imperial
• 9z
• M80
• 5yclone

Group D

• G2
• Cloud9
• Virtus.pro
• Liquid
• 9INE
• Complexity
• Eternal Fire
• Lynn Vision

Day 1 Schedule:

On Day 1 of the tournament, we will see all the teams of Group A fight out their opening matches.

As the countdown to ESL Pro League Season 18 begins, the esports world braces itself for a spectacle of skill, strategy, and passion. With a tantalizing prize pool and a chance at glory, these elite teams are ready to deliver an unforgettable tournament that will be remembered for years to come. Make sure to follow along the action at Strafe.com