In May we introduced a new structure and format for ESL Challenger League, moving to a more fast paced cup-based structure in each of the five regions. With Season 50 now behind us, we turn the page and look ahead for 2026. With Season 51 approaching, we have also made a couple refinements to the format we introduced for Season 50.
CHANGES IN 2026
In the European region we’ve seen ultimately the highest amount of interest from teams and as such we will increase the number of participating teams from 32 to 48 for the upcoming season. We will continue to monitor whether this amount of teams is the right one for the European region as we head into future seasons.
In the North American and South American regions, we will have a decrease in the number of participating teams per each cup. This follows our review of Season 50, where we noticed a shortage of possible VRS invites, paired with a significant amount of first round forfeits. To address these situations, and ensure a fair competitive environment for all teams, we will reduce the number of participating teams from 24 to 16 in each region. We will monitor both of the regions, in order to revisit this topic for future seasons. With this reduction, the slot distribution for Wildcard Invites reserved for ESEA League has been slightly adjusted. Full details can be found within the overview of each cup.
For Oceania, we’re increasing the number of participating teams from 8 to 10 per cup for Season 51. This slot increase is in order to accommodate ESEA League winners in the region. The Oceania region will furthermore be decoupled from connecting into ESL Pro League Season 24, which also means that there will be no Regional Finals this season. We will continue to support the region by running ECL, which allows teams to accumulate valuable data points to climb the Valve Regional Standings. This is relative to the upcoming ECL Season 51 and ESL Pro League Season 24. We will make sure to revisit this topic for future seasons.
INTEGRITY MEASURES
Earlier this year, we introduced enhanced security measures for our online competitions; most notably, mandatory cameras displaying each player's in-game screen. In 2026, we are building upon these improvements by requiring two cameras per player and implementing FACEIT Verification as a mandatory requirement for all participants.
The two-camera setup will ensure visibility not only of the player's in-game screen but also of their full playing environment. FACEIT Verification will be required for all players before a team can play their first match.
We share the community's belief that the integrity of our events must remain our highest priority and these measures are a crucial step in maintaining that standard. We understand these requirements may demand additional preparation, which is why we are communicating them well in advance to allow teams ample time to adapt.
All of the above will also be reflected in the ESL Pro Tour rulebook, which will receive an update and be published before the year ends.
FORMATS & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
SEASON 51
CUP INFORMATION
Prize money overview (per cup)
| Europe | North America | South America | Asia | Oceania | |
| 第 1 名 | $12,000 | $8,000 | $8,000 | $5,000 | $1,500 |
| 第 2 名 | $5,000 | $4,000 | $4,000 | $2,500 | $1,000 |
| 3rd | $2,250 | $2,000 | $2,000 | $1,500 | $0 |
| 4th | $1,750 | $1,500 | $1,500 | $1,000 | $0 |
| 5th - 6th | $1,250 | $1,000 | $1,000 | $0 | $0 |
| 5th - 6th | $1,250 | $1,000 | $1,000 | $0 | $0 |
| 7th - 8th | $750 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| 7th - 8th | $750 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| All other places | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| 总数 | $25,000 | $17,500 | $17,500 | $10,000 | $2,500 |
Invite exceptions:
- Based on the Tournament Operating Requirements that states: “3.8.4 The VRS rank of the invited Rosters must be lower than 12 on the Global VRS at the time of the Invite Date."
- Exceptions to invitations will apply if a player is banned by ESL, FACEIT or ESIC
Europe
- Ranked Tier 2 regional event
- Prize money: $25,000 (per cup)
- Participants: 48 teams (per cup)
- Format: Double elimination, all matches best-of-three
- Location: Online (European servers)
- Winner of each cup is invited to the ECL Season 51 Europe Regional Finals
Cup specific information
- Cup 1
- Tournament dates: Friday, February 13 - Tuesday, February 24, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of January 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of February 2026.
- Cup 2
- Tournament dates: Monday, March 16 - Friday, March 27, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of February 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of March 2026.
- Cup 3
- Tournament dates: Sunday, March 29 - Thursday, April 9, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of March 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of March 2026.
- Cup 4
- Tournament dates: Wednesday, April 22 - Sunday, May 3, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of April 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of April 2026.
Slot distribution
| Slot no. | Cup 1 | Cup 2 | Cup 3 | Cup 4 |
| 1. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 2. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 3. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 4. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 5. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 6. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 7. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 8. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 9. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 10. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 11. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 12. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 13. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 14. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 15. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 16. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 17. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 18. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 19. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 20. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 21. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 22. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 23. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 24. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 25. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 26. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 27. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 28. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 29. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 30. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 31. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 32. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 33. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 34. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 35. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 36. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 37. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 38. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 39. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 40. | Europe VRS Invite (1st-40th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 41. | ESEA Season 54 Elite #1 Winner | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 42. | ESEA Season 54 Elite #1 Runner-up | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 43. | ESEA Season 54 Elite #2 Winner | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 44. | ESEA Season 54 Elite #2 Runner-up | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 45. | ESEA Season 55 Elite #1 Winner | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 46. | ESEA Season 55 Elite #1 Runner-up | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-46th) |
| 47. | ESEA Season 55 Elite #2 Winner | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | ESEA Season 56 Winner |
| 48. | ESEA Season 55 Elite #2 Runner-up | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | Europe VRS Invite (1st-48th) | ESEA Season 56 Runner-up |
North America
- Ranked Tier 2 regional event
- Prize money: $17,500 (per cup)
- Participants: 16 teams (per cup)
- Format: Double elimination, all matches best-of-three
- Location: Online (American servers)
- Winner of each cup is invited to the ECL Season 51 North America Regional Finals
Cup specific information
- Cup 1
- Tournament dates: Tuesday, February 17 - Tuesday, February 24, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of January 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of February 2026.
- Cup 2
- Tournament dates: Friday, March 20 - Friday, March 27, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of February 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of March 2026.
- Cup 3
- Tournament dates: Thursday, April 2 - Thursday, April 9, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of March 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of March 2026.
- Cup 4
- Tournament dates: Sunday, April 26 - Sunday, May 3, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of April 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of April 2026.
Slot distribution
| Slot no. | Cup 1 | Cup 2 | Cup 3 | Cup 4 |
| 1. | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 2. | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 3. | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 4. | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 5. | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 6. | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 7. | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 8. | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 9. | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 10. | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 11. | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 12. | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 13. | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 14. | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 15. | ESEA Season 54 Elite #1 Winner & #2 Winner | ESEA Season 54 Elite #2 & Season 55 Elite #1 Runner-up | ESEA Season 55 Elite #2 Winner | ESEA Season 56 Winner |
| 16. | ESEA Season 54 Elite #1 Runner-up | ESEA Season 55 Elite #1 Winner | ESEA Season 55 Elite #2 Runner-up | ESEA Season 56 Runner-up |
South America
- Ranked Tier 2 regional event
- Prize money: $17,500 (per cup)
- Participants: 16 teams (per cup)
- Format: Double elimination, all matches best-of-three
- Location: Online (South American servers)
- Winner of each cup is invited to the ECL Season 51 South America Regional Finals
Cup specific information
- Cup 1
- Tournament dates: Tuesday, February 17 - Tuesday, February 24, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of January 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of February 2026.
- Cup 2
- Tournament dates: Friday, March 20 - Friday, March 27, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of February 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of March 2026.
- Cup 3
- Tournament dates: Thursday, April 2 - Thursday, April 9, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of March 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of March 2026.
- Cup 4
- Tournament dates: Sunday, April 26 - Sunday, May 3, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of April 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of April 2026.
Slot distribution
| Slot no. | Cup 1 | Cup 2 | Cup 3 | Cup 4 |
| 1. | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 2. | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 3. | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 4. | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 5. | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 6. | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 7. | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 8. | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 9. | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 10. | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 11. | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 12. | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 13. | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 14. | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) | South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 15. | ESEA Season 54 Winner | ESEA Season 55 Winner | South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) | ESEA Season 56 Winner |
| 16. | ESEA Season 54 Runner-up | ESEA Season 55 Runner-up | South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) | ESEA Season 56 Runner-up |
Asia
- Ranked Tier 2 regional event
- Prize money: $10,000 (per cup)
- Participants: 16 teams (per cup)
- Format: Double elimination, all matches best-of-three
- Location: Online (Asian servers)
- Winner of each cup is invited to the ECL Season 51 Asia Regional Finals
Cup specific information
- Cup 1
- Tournament dates: Tuesday, February 17 - Tuesday, February 24, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of January 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of February 2026.
- Cup 2
- Tournament dates: Friday, March 20 - Friday, March 27, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of February 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of March 2026.
- Cup 3
- Tournament dates: Thursday, April 2 - Thursday, April 9, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of March 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of March 2026.
- Cup 4
- Tournament dates: Sunday, April 26 - Sunday, May 3, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of April 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of April 2026.
Slot distribution
| Slot no. | Cup 1 | Cup 2 | Cup 3 | Cup 4 |
| 1. | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 2. | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 3. | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 4. | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 5. | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 6. | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 7. | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 8. | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 9. | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 10. | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 11. | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 12. | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 13. | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 14. | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) | Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
| 15. | ESEA Season 54 Winner | ESEA Season 55 Winner | Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) | ESEA Season 56 Winner |
| 16. | ESEA Season 54 Runner-up | ESEA Season 55 Runner-up | Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) | ESEA Season 56 Runner-up |
Oceania
- Ranked Tier 2 regional event
- Prize money: $2,500 (per cup)
- Participants: 10 teams (per cup)
- Format: Double elimination, all matches best-of-three
- Location: Online (Australian servers)
Cup specific information
- Cup 1
- Tournament dates: Tuesday, February 17 - Tuesday, February 24, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of January 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of February 2026.
- Cup 2
- Tournament dates: Friday, March 20 - Friday, March 27, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of February 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of March 2026.
- Cup 3
- Tournament dates: Thursday, April 2 - Thursday, April 9, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of March 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of March 2026.
- Cup 4
- Tournament dates: Sunday, April 26 - Sunday, May 3, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of April 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of April 2026.
Slot distribution
| Slot no. | Cup 1 | Cup 2 | Cup 3 | Cup 4 |
| 1. | Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) | Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) | Oceania VRS Invite (1st-10th) | Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) |
| 2. | Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) | Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) | Oceania VRS Invite (1st-10th) | Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) |
| 3. | Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) | Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) | Oceania VRS Invite (1st-10th) | Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) |
| 4. | Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) | Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) | Oceania VRS Invite (1st-10th) | Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) |
| 5. | Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) | Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) | Oceania VRS Invite (1st-10th) | Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) |
| 6. | Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) | Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) | Oceania VRS Invite (1st-10th) | Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) |
| 7. | Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) | Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) | Oceania VRS Invite (1st-10th) | Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) |
| 8. | Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) | Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) | Oceania VRS Invite (1st-10th) | Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) |
| 9. | ESEA Season 54 Winner | ESEA Season 55 Winner | Oceania VRS Invite (1st-10th) | ESEA Season 56 Winner |
| 10. | ESEA Season 54 Runner-up | ESEA Season 55 Runner-up | Oceania VRS Invite (1st-10th) | ESEA Season 56 Runner-up |
REGIONAL FINALS INFORMATION
General information
- Ranked Tier 2 Wildcard event
- Participants: 4 teams (per region)
- Format: Single elimination, semifinal matches best-of-three, grand final match best-of-five (per region)
- Winner of each region is invited to the ESL Pro League Season 24
Invite exceptions:
- Based on the Tournament Operating Requirements that states: “3.6.3 A Roster shall only be eligible for a Wildcard Invite if it is ranked lower than 12 on the Global VRS list and it fulfills at least one of the following requirements as of the Invitation Date:..."
- Exceptions to invitations will apply if a player is banned by ESL, FACEIT or ESIC
Region specific information
- Europe
- Tournament dates: Tuesday, May 26 - Thursday, May 28, 2026
- Location: Online (European servers)
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of May 2026.
- North America
- Tournament dates: Tuesday, May 26 - Thursday, May 28, 2026
- Location: Online (American servers)
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of May 2026.
- South America
- Tournament dates: Tuesday, May 26 - Thursday, May 28, 2026
- Location: Online (South American servers)
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of May 2026.
- Asia
- Tournament dates: Tuesday, May 26 - Thursday, May 28, 2026
- Location: Online (Asian servers)
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of May 2026.
Slot distribution
| Slot no. | Europe | North America | South America | Asia |
| 1. | ECL Season 51 Europe Cup 1 Winner | ECL Season 51 North America Cup 1 Winner | ECL Season 51 South America Cup 1 Winner | ECL Season 51 Asia Cup 1 Winner |
| 2. | ECL Season 51 Europe Cup 2 Winner | ECL Season 51 North America Cup 2 Winner | ECL Season 51 South America Cup 2 Winner | ECL Season 51 Asia Cup 2 Winner |
| 3. | ECL Season 51 Europe Cup 3 Winner | ECL Season 51 North America Cup 3 Winner | ECL Season 51 South America Cup 3 Winner | ECL Season 51 Asia Cup 3 Winner |
| 4. | ECL Season 51 Europe Cup 4 Winner | ECL Season 51 North America Cup 4 Winner | ECL Season 51 South America Cup 4 Winner | ECL Season 51 Asia Cup 4 Winner |
OUTRO
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