ESL Pro League 2021 Overview
ESL Pro League is one of the top CSGO competitions in the world, with a format based on permanent-partner teams and two regional divisions: Europe and North America. Since its debut in 2015, the ESL Pro League became a truly global league, with millions of viewers tuning-in to watch some the best CSGO teams battle for millions of US dollars in prizes.
ESL Pro League 2021 Teams
Starting with its 11th season, the ESL Pro league aimed to become a single global league, but the coronavirus outbreak changed ESL plans and the league was again changed to an online one with two regions.
ESL Pro league features 24 total teams made up of 13 permanent partners, 4 teams coming from the ESL World Ranking and 7 teams earning their spot by through the ESEA Global Challenge or Season 10 Finals.
| No. | Team Name | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Astralis | Permanent Partner |
| 2. | Complexity | Permanent Partner |
| 3. | ENCE | Permanent Partner |
| 4. | Evil Geniuses | Permanent Partner |
| 5. | FaZe Clan | Permanent Partner |
| 6. | Fnatic | Permanent Partner |
| 7. | G2 Esports | Permanent Partner |
| 8. | Mousesports | Permanent Partner |
| 9. | Natus Vincere | Permanent Partner |
| 10. | Ninjas in Pyjamas | Permanent Partner |
| 11. | Team Liquid | Permanent Partner |
| 12. | Team Vitality | Permanent Partner |
| 13. | 100 Thieves | Permanent Partner |
| 14. | TYLOO | Season 10 Finalist |
| 15. | BIG | Season 10 Finalist |
| 16. | North | Season 10 Finalist |
| 17. | MIBR | Season 10 Finalist |
| 18. | Swole Patrol | Season 10 Finalist |
| 19. | forZe | ESEA MDL Finalist |
| 20. | Team Spirit | ESEA MDL Finalist |
| 21. | FURIA Esports | ESL World Ranking |
| 22. | GODSENT | ESL World Ranking |
| 23. | OG | ESL World Ranking |
| 24. | Virtus.pro | ESL World Ranking |
ESL Pro League 2021 Schedule
The regular season was initially intended to be held in Malta, in a studio environment but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the matches were moved online. The current season will span over four weeks and a three-day final. Season 11 starts on 16th of March and will end on 12th of April.
ESL Pro League Format
Group Stage
The 24 teams will be place in 4 groups of six teams playng Best of 3 matches in a single round-robin format. Group winners proceed to the Play-In for seeding. Group 2nd & 3rd place teams advance to the Round of 12
Play-Ins
Qualified teams will play two single-elimination Best of 3 matches. Winning teams advance to the Semifinals. Losing teams advance to the Quarterfinals
Playoffs
ESL Pro League playoffs are a single-elimination bracket with Best of 3 matches. The Grand Final is Bo5
