ESL Announces Teams For Pro League Return to Katowice
ESL has announced the 16 invited teams for ESL Pro League Season 24, marking Counter-Strike’s return to Katowice, Poland for the first time since IEM Katowice’s relocation to Kraków. The tournament will run from October 3-11, with the competition held entirely on LAN across the city before culminating in an eight-team playoff at the historic Spodek Arena.
The 16-team lineup represents a significant format change from previous Pro League editions, which featured 24 teams. This reduction allows ESL to host the entire group stage and playoffs on LAN, creating a more concentrated and competitive environment for one of Counter-Strike’s premier tournaments.
The invited teams span the global competitive scene, including powerhouse organizations such as Team Spirit, FaZe Clan’s Falcons roster, Vitality, Natus Vincere (NAVI), FURIA, and MOUZ. Additional notable teams competing include G2, BetBoom, Legacy, M80, 9z, Aurora, ShindeN, Parivision, 1win, and TYLOO.
Team invitations were determined using the August 3 VRS (Valve Ranking System) snapshot, with final group seeding to be determined on September 21, closer to the event’s start date. This seeding methodology ensures competitive balance while giving teams time to prepare for their specific group assignments.
The return of Counter-Strike to Katowice underscores the city’s significance in esports history, and ESL’s decision to maintain the LAN format for the entire tournament demonstrates the league’s commitment to competitive integrity and providing a premium experience for both players and fans.