The Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) esports scene is stacked. It feels like PGL Cluj-Napoca 2025 just finished up, and now ESL Pro League Season 21's Play-In stage is already underway, with the main event kicking off this weekend. Here's what you need to know about this huge event!

For as long as I can remember, ESL Pro League events took place in Malta. For Season 21, however, things have changed. The event will now take place at the ESL Studios venue in Stockholm, Sweden. Teams are competing for a huge prize pool ($1 million in total across player and club shares), and the honor of lifting the coveted trophy.

The Play-In stage runs from 1 to 5 March 2025, and on 7 March, the main event begins with 16 Team Swiss System format, where all matches are BO3. This stage of the event runs from 7 to 11 March 2025, so mark your calendars.

The top eight teams will proceed to the single-elimination Playoffs bracket, which runs from 13 to 16 March 2025. The Quarterfinals and Semifinals are BO3, and the Grand Final is BO5. Check out the Direct Invite teams starting in the main event, as well as the eight qualified teams from the Play-In Stage outlined below.

• Team Spirit (Direct Invite)
• Team Vitality (Direct Invite)
• The MongolZ (Direct Invite)
• MOUZ (Direct Invite)
• Team Falcons (Direct Invite)
• G2 Esports (Direct Invite)
• NAVI (Direct Invite)
• Team Liquid (Direct Invite)
• GamerLegion
• SAW
• 3DMAX
• Eternal Fire
• MIBR
• FURIA Esports
• paiN Gaming
• TYLOO

Of course, most fans reading this can't make it to Sweden to watch the action live. Don't worry; you can catch all the ESL Pro League Season 21 matches with ease by tuning in to the official ESL_CSGO Twitch channel. 

Stay tuned at ESC as we will bring you the results and possibly even a highlights video from ESL Pro League Season 21!

Header image via ESL.