ESL has clarified that regional and national competitions will no longer be its primary focus. Consequently, CSGO leagues in countries and regions such as Benelux, France, Spain, Turkey, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Germany, Poland, the UK, and Ireland are set to conclude either in 2023 or early 2024.
This strategic move implies a significant reduction in ESL’s CSGO tournament operations. However, ESL and its parent entity, ESL FACEIT Group, have expressed their willingness to collaborate with third-party organizers. This collaboration aims to support teams that previously participated in national leagues.
ESL has been operating two distinct ecosystems within competitive Counter-Strike. One is the nation-based model, like the ESL Meisterschaft in Germany and the ESL Premiership in the UK. The other is a ‘borderless system’ where teams from different regions and countries compete in pan-regional tournaments. This dual approach led to ESL managing multiple tournaments simultaneously, which influenced their recent decision.
ESL’s statement shed light on the challenges they faced. The organization found it increasingly challenging to maintain focus due to the simultaneous operation of various tournaments. They realized that the borderless system offers a more dynamic and adaptable foundation for the ESL Pro Tour. It also provides a clearer pathway for emerging teams and players.
While some National Championships, including those in Benelux, France, Spain, and Turkey, won’t have their final seasons this year, others will have one last season in 2023 before discontinuation in 2024. Top teams from Germany and Poland will still have opportunities to compete in tournaments like IEM Katowice and IEM Cologne. ESL has also initiated discussions with affected teams to explore “alternative opportunities.”
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