After the announcement of the new ESL Pro League format last week and the feedback we received from teams and fans as a result of that, we would like to announce some updates regarding Mountain Dew League and the qualification for Season 12 specifically.
Everybody at ESL is committed to creating an ecosystem that offers a clear path from zero to hero. We have supported the CS:GO scene on all levels since the launch of the game, including Mountain Dew League as a pathway into the elite level for aspiring stars and we want to continue along this path.
Our vision for the ESL Pro Tour, which connects competitions of all levels, is to empower players in their journey. While we acknowledge that the communication of the latest changes was not fully aligned with this principle, we have done our best to engage with the affected teams and create a structure everyone feels comfortable with.
ESL Pro League Season 12 Qualification
To provide an additional opportunity to make it back into the new ESL Pro League, there will be a special qualification process for Season 12.
Mountain Dew League Global Challenge
Three MDL Global Challenge slots of the current season will directly qualify teams into ESL Pro League Season 12 to reflect the increasing competition in MDL as a result of the new format, thus giving more teams a chance back in and reflecting the increased competitive level in MDL.
Regional Qualifiers
In addition, all teams that were left without an ESL Pro League spot or the chance to earn one will be invited to a regional online qualifier alongside teams from ESL Pro League Season 11, out of which the winning teams will earn a slot for ESL Pro League Season 12, too. Regional qualifiers will take place in Europe, North America, Asia, Oceania, and South America. All qualifiers are BO3 single-elimination. The dates for the qualifiers will be April 21-22. Invited teams include:
- EU: BIG, Sprout, Aristocracy / ARCY, HellRaisers, Singularity, HAVU, Spirit
- NA: Ex-Singularity, eUnited, Swole Patrol, Envy, Infinity, Riot Squad, Triumph
- Asia: Lucid dreams, BTRG, ViCi, Alpha Red, BOOT, MVP, Invictus
- OCE: Chiefs, Order, Avant, Paradox, Ground Zero, Really Weird, Catman
- SA: Isurus, Detona
This means that the teams that were affected by the reduction have two chances to qualify for the next season of ESL Pro League, should they choose to play MDL and the qualifier.
All details regarding qualification for ESL Pro League after Season 12 will be announced as part of a larger update within the next two weeks.
Mountain Dew League
We have also discussed plans to revamp the Mountain Dew League in order to create a more robust gateway competition into the ESL Pro League. The plans discussed include:
Global Challenge
We plan to host the Mountain Dew League Global Challenge at either the respective ESL Pro League Season Finals or another DreamHack or ESL event going forward. The Grand Final of the Global Challenge is planned to be played on the main stage in order to give MDL teams an appropriate setting and exposure whilst increasing the product quality at the same time.
MDL Training Season
In addition to the above mentioned ESL Pro Tour integration, Season 34 of Mountain Dew League will qualify the winning teams in Europe, North America, Asia and Oceania into the closed qualifier of a respective ESL or DreamHack Master level event.
MDL Season 33 participation
All teams which would have been eligible to play in or get into the ESL Pro League through the relegation, but are no longer part of the league due to the format changes from Season 10 to Season 11, will not have to pay the participation fee to compete in Mountain Dew League in Season 33.
Make sure to follow our channels on Twitter and Facebook. We will share our detailed plans and news around ESL Pro League Season 11 + 12, and MDL Season 33 in the next days and weeks.
