{"id":18176,"date":"2026-09-30T17:14:56","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T15:14:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/csgo\/proleague\/?p=18176"},"modified":"2026-10-01T01:53:06","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T23:53:06","slug":"epl-katowice-article-en","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/csgo\/proleague\/2026\/09\/epl-katowice-article-en\/","title":{"rendered":"Esports returns to Katowice as Spodek prepares to host ESL Pro League and the Esports School League finals"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"18176\" class=\"elementor elementor-18176\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-42064a6 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"42064a6\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_image&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;2a4104a&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_image_tablet&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;jet_parallax_layout_image_mobile&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;jet_parallax_layout_speed&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:50,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;jet_parallax_layout_type&quot;:&quot;scroll&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_direction&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_fx_direction&quot;:null,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_z_index&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_x&quot;:50,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_x_tablet&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_x_mobile&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_y&quot;:50,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_y_tablet&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_y_mobile&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_size&quot;:&quot;auto&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_size_tablet&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_size_mobile&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_animation_prop&quot;:&quot;transform&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_on&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;]}]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a3c36a3 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a3c36a3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[]}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2f25cfa elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2f25cfa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"284\" height=\"109\" src=\"https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/csgo\/proleague\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/katowice_logo-png-colour-english-2.png\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-18209\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b2df67b elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b2df67b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Esports returns to Katowice as Spodek prepares to host ESL Pro League and the Esports School League finals<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eab0865 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-post-info\" data-id=\"eab0865\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"post-info.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-inline-items elementor-icon-list-items elementor-post-info\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item elementor-repeater-item-41308a8 elementor-inline-item\" itemprop=\"datePublished\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/csgo\/proleague\/2026\/09\/30\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text elementor-post-info__item elementor-post-info__item--type-date\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<time>September 30, 2026<\/time>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1739693 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1739693\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_list&quot;:[{&quot;jet_parallax_layout_image&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;_id&quot;:&quot;31be762&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_image_tablet&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;jet_parallax_layout_image_mobile&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;},&quot;jet_parallax_layout_speed&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;%&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:50,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;jet_parallax_layout_type&quot;:&quot;scroll&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_direction&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_fx_direction&quot;:null,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_z_index&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_x&quot;:50,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_x_tablet&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_x_mobile&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_y&quot;:50,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_y_tablet&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_y_mobile&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_size&quot;:&quot;auto&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_size_tablet&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_bg_size_mobile&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_animation_prop&quot;:&quot;transform&quot;,&quot;jet_parallax_layout_on&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;]}]}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ff0125d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ff0125d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"570\" src=\"https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/csgo\/proleague\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/2-Spodek-1-1024x730.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-18185\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/csgo\/proleague\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/2-Spodek-1-1024x730.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/csgo\/proleague\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/2-Spodek-1-500x356.jpg 500w, https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/csgo\/proleague\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/2-Spodek-1-768x548.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/csgo\/proleague\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/2-Spodek-1-1536x1095.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/csgo\/proleague\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/2-Spodek-1-2048x1460.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e8bd3b6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e8bd3b6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This October, Katowice will once again take centre stage in the world of esports. <\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 200;\">From October 3 to 11, the city will host Season 24 of ESL Pro League, one of the world\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 200;\">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\u2019s 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\u2019s biggest teams and players.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 200;\">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.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 200;\">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.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 200;\">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\u2019s most important matches live, culminating in the Grand Final on October 11.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bfa13a6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"bfa13a6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/csgo\/proleague\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/4-Dworcowa-Street-1-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-18184\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/csgo\/proleague\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/4-Dworcowa-Street-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/csgo\/proleague\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/4-Dworcowa-Street-1-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/csgo\/proleague\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/4-Dworcowa-Street-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/csgo\/proleague\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/4-Dworcowa-Street-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/csgo\/proleague\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/4-Dworcowa-Street-1.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1349164 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1349164\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Esports School League<\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 200;\">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.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 200;\">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.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 200;\">This year\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 200;\">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\u2019s best Counter-Strike players compete for the ESL Pro League title.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 200;\">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 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.faceit.com\/pl\/organizers\/b186b22b-5d5b-4e88-a900-90b823d9c8f5\/Liga%20Szkol%20Miasta%20Katowice\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FACEIT<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 200;\"> platform, with additional information and support also available through the dedicated<\/span>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/discord.com\/invite\/ApHr5nHJ8U\" rel=\"noopener\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Discord<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 200;\"> channel.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 200;\">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.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e37ab78 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e37ab78\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/csgo\/proleague\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/6-Nikiszowiec-1024x768.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-18186\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/csgo\/proleague\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/6-Nikiszowiec-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/csgo\/proleague\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/6-Nikiszowiec-500x375.jpg 500w, https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/csgo\/proleague\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/6-Nikiszowiec-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/csgo\/proleague\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/6-Nikiszowiec-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/csgo\/proleague\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/6-Nikiszowiec-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ae758e2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ae758e2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Photography competition for students<\/h3><p><span style=\"font-weight: 200;\">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.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 200;\">During the event, the finalists will create their own competition entries and compete for prizes with a total value of PLN 40,000.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 200;\">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.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 200;\">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\u2019s best Counter-Strike players compete live.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 200;\">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\u2019s identity.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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\u2019s leading Counter-Strike 2 competitions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1569,"featured_media":18185,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[50],"tags":[57,52,54,53,55],"class_list":["post-18176","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cs","tag-en","tag-epl","tag-esl-pro-league","tag-katowice","tag-spodek"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/csgo\/proleague\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18176","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/csgo\/proleague\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/csgo\/proleague\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/csgo\/proleague\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1569"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/csgo\/proleague\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18176"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/csgo\/proleague\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18176\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18212,"href":"https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/csgo\/proleague\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18176\/revisions\/18212"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/csgo\/proleague\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18185"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/csgo\/proleague\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18176"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/csgo\/proleague\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18176"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pro.eslgaming.com\/csgo\/proleague\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18176"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}