ESL Announces New Challenger League Format
ESL has introduced an updated structure for the Challenger League. Instead of the classic league format, each region will now host four cup stages, after which the best teams will compete in regional finals. The new system is more flexible, competitive, and aligns with Valve's current tournament requirements.
Reasons for the Changes
The changes are prompted by Valve's new requirements for organizing competitions within the VRS (Valve Regional Standings). The old seasonal league format no longer met these requirements. In addition to aligning with VRS, the new format allows for:
Eliminating best-of-1 matches — now only best-of-3
Reducing match overload for teams
Simplifying the path to the ESL Pro League
Making tournament participation accessible to the tier-2 scene
Format for Europe
Each of the four cup stages in the European region is classified as a tier-2 tournament. This means that its results will be considered in the VRS, which forms the basis for invites. The format is Double Elimination with best-of-three matches. The winner of each stage earns the right to participate in the European regional finals.
If a team wins two cups, they advance directly to the grand final of the regional finals. Winning three cups cancels the semifinals, and the team starts the grand final with a one-map advantage. Winning all four stages cancels the regional final, and the team advances directly to the ESL Pro League.
Cup Stage 1 will occur in two phases: from August 11 to 16 and from August 26 to September 1. A total of 32 teams will participate — 24 will receive invites based on the regional VRS ranking, and 8 teams will qualify through ESEA Advanced divisions (seasons 52 and 53). Invitations will be issued based on the July VRS, with the release date on July 29.
Cup Stage 2 will take place from September 8 to 13 and from September 17 to 23. The format and total number of participants remain the same. Invitations will be extended to the top 26 teams from the August VRS, with the remaining 6 slots filled by teams from ESEA Advanced. The list of invitees will be published on August 26.
Cup Stage 3 will occur in two phases: October 5–10 and October 14–20. The tournament will feature 28 teams based on the September VRS and 4 teams from ESEA Advanced. The list of invitees will be published on September 22.
Cup Stage 4 concludes the season and runs from October 25 to 30 and from November 10 to 16. The top 30 teams by the October VRS ranking will receive direct invites, with 2 more slots filled by the leaders of ESEA Advanced 52 and 53. Invitations will be published on October 13.
Invitation restrictions: Teams in the top 12 of the global VRS are not allowed to participate, nor are those with players who have active bans from ESL, FACEIT, or ESIC.
The prize pool for each stage is $25,000, distributed among the top 8:
1st place — $12,000
2nd place — $5,000
3rd place — $2,250
4th place — $1,750
5th–6th places — $1,250
7th–8th places — $750
Conclusion
The updated ESL Challenger League format is a step towards a modern and flexible system for selecting teams for the EPL. Thanks to four short and intense stages, teams no longer need to spend months on group stages.
Instead, they can compete for victory and advancement to the main CS2 stage in each specific stage. The new format not only makes the path to the ESL Pro League transparent and open but also rewards consistency, celebrating those who can win repeatedly.
