This October, Katowice will once again take centre stage in the world of esports. From October 3 to 11, the city will host Season 24 of ESL Pro League, one of the world’s leading Counter-Strike 2 competitions. Sixteen top teams will take part, with the eight best advancing to the decisive stage of the tournament, which will be held at the iconic Spodek arena for the first time.
The final stage of ESL Pro League will take place from October 9 to 11 and is expected to bring thousands of Counter-Strike fans from Poland and abroad to Katowice. Few venues could be a more fitting setting for the league’s return to a major arena. Over the years, Spodek has hosted some of the most memorable moments in Counter-Strike and esports history, welcoming fans from around the world and providing the backdrop for major victories by some of the game’s biggest teams and players.
Through these events, Katowice has established itself as one of the most recognisable destinations on the global esports map. This October, ESL Pro League will add a new chapter to that history.
The tournament will feature some of the biggest names in Counter-Strike, including Team Spirit, Team Vitality, Natus Vincere, G2 Esports, FURIA, MOUZ and Team Falcons. The teams will compete for a total prize pool of one million US dollars.
The first stage of the competition will run from October 3 to 7, with all 16 teams competing in Katowice. The top eight will advance to the Playoffs, which will move to Spodek from October 9. Fans will then be able to watch the tournament’s most important matches live, culminating in the Grand Final on October 11.
The October event at Spodek will not be limited to professional competition. The City of Katowice, together with ESL FACEIT Group, is also organising the fourth edition of the Esports School League, an initiative aimed at students from schools across the city.
Young players compete in Brawl Stars, a popular mobile game in which teams of three face each other in fast paced matches. The stakes are high, with the winning school receiving a new computer lab worth PLN 110,000.
This year’s edition will be particularly special, as the Esports School League final will be held during ESL Pro League for the first time. The eight best teams will compete on October 10 and 11 at the City of Katowice booth inside Spodek.
For the young players, it will be a unique opportunity to play the most important matches of their competition in the heart of a major international esports event, at the same time as some of the world’s best Counter-Strike players compete for the ESL Pro League title.
Before reaching Spodek, students will take part in six qualifying tournaments held throughout September. These will determine the eight teams that qualify for the final. Details about registration and participation are available on the FACEIT platform, with additional information and support also available through the dedicated Discord channel.
The Esports School League has already become an established part of the cooperation between the City of Katowice and ESL FACEIT Group. In the previous edition, 45 teams took part, with the team representing Gustaw Morcinek Primary School No. 65 taking the title. Their school received a new computer lab equipped with 15 complete workstations.
ESL Pro League will also create an opportunity for young people interested in photography. Students from universities in Katowice can take part in a special photography competition, with up to five finalists receiving personalised passes to attend the ESL Pro League finals at Spodek.
During the event, the finalists will create their own competition entries and compete for prizes with a total value of PLN 40,000.
To enter, participants must submit a portfolio of eight photographs together with a copy of a valid student ID. Applications are open until October 2, with the jury selecting the finalists the following day. Participation is free and open to adult students enrolled at universities located in Katowice.
The October events at Spodek will mark an important moment both for esports fans and for Katowice itself. Fans from across Poland and abroad will once again travel to the city to watch some of the world’s best Counter-Strike players compete live.
At the same time, young players from local schools will have the chance to play their own final at the heart of the event, while aspiring photographers will be able to test their skills through a dedicated competition. Bringing global competition together with local initiatives highlights just how deeply esports has become part of Katowice’s identity.
