Season 19 of Counter-Strike's ESL Pro League has arrived, marking the second edition since the launch of CS2. Sporting the same condensed mega-format as Season 18, viewers can expect thrilling matches as the top players compete for substantial prizes.
This event marks the first appearance of champions Natus Vincere since the Major, while Copenhagen finalists FaZe Clan enter EPL S19 fresh off a victory at IEM Chengdu. With the majority of CS2's top 30 teams in attendance, fans can anticipate intense competition as they vie for Counter-Strike glory and a chance to compete at the Lanxess Arena later this year.
Here's all you need to know about CS2 ESL Pro League Season 19:
ESL Pro League Season 19 features a massive 32 teams and 79 best-of-three series, with the eventual winner walking away $170,000 richer. The victor also earns a coveted spot alongside Team Spirit and FaZe Clan at IEM Cologne, receiving a direct invitation to the million-dollar event.
The 32 teams have been divided into four groups of eight, each navigating a triple-elimination bracket. After the upper final, where both teams qualify for the playoffs, three losses spell elimination for a team. Two teams qualify from the upper bracket, one from the middle, and one from the lower bracket per group.
When all is said and done, 16 teams will advance to the playoffs. From there, it's single-elimination best-of-threes until the grand final, which is a best-of-five.
All match times are in Central Time (CT).
Tuesday, May 7
9:15 am: BIG vs. G2
Playoffs round one. The winner advances to round two, loser is eliminated.
9:15 am: BetBoom vs. FlyQuest
Playoffs round one. The winner advances to round two, loser is eliminated.
12:30 pm: GamerLegion vs. VP
Playoffs round one. The winner advances to round two, loser is eliminated.
12:30 pm: FaZe vs. Monte
Playoffs round one. The winner advances to round two, loser is eliminated.
Wednesday, May 8
9:15 am: 3DMAX vs. TBD
Playoffs round two. The winner advances to the quarterfinals, loser is eliminated.
9:15 am: TheMongolZ vs. TBD
Playoffs round two. The winner advances to the quarterfinals, loser is eliminated.
12:30 pm: Liquid vs. TBD
Playoffs round two. The winner advances to the quarterfinals, loser is eliminated.
12:30 pm: NAVI vs. TBD
Playoffs round two. The winner advances to the quarterfinals, loser is eliminated.
Thursday, May 9
9:15 am: Complexity vs. TBD
The winner advances to the semifinals, loser is eliminated.
12:30 pm: MOUZ vs. TBD
The winner advances to the semifinals, loser is eliminated.
Friday, May 10
9:15 am: Vitality vs. TBD
The winner advances to the semifinals, loser is eliminated.
12:30 pm: Astralis vs. TBD
The winner advances to the semifinals, loser is eliminated.
Saturday, May 11
9:15 am: TBD vs. TBD
The winner advances to the grand final, loser is eliminated.
12:30 pm: TBD vs. TBD
The winner advances to the grand final, loser is eliminated.
Sunday, May 12
10 am: TBD vs. TBD
Grand final (best-of-five).
Group Stage
The four ESL Pro League Season 19 groups were played over two weeks, with two groups competing each week. All match times below were in Central Time (CT).