With Season 51 now concluded, it is time to look ahead and announce the changes coming with Season 52, which begins in July.
CHANGES IN SEASON 52 - GENERAL
First, we would like to explain the reasoning behind these changes so the community can better understand the direction we are taking. For more than ten years, ESL Challenger League has served as the primary, and in some regions the only, Tier 2 competition in Counter-Strike.
However, since the introduction of the VRS system, the Counter-Strike ecosystem has expanded significantly, particularly in Europe, with many additional Tier 2 events now available. As a result, we believe it is important to approach each region individually in order to better reflect its specific needs and competitive environment.
Europe: Transition to Open Signups from Invites
In Europe, with the large number of open LAN events now available, we no longer believe there is sufficient space in the calendar for long-form leagues such as ESL Challenger League. Over the past several months, we have spoken with a number of Tier 2 teams across Europe and it became clear that many teams are unable to commit to lengthy competitions.
This is especially challenging when ESL Challenger League includes VRS invites, as events must be announced two months in advance, while overlapping open LAN events may be announced only two weeks before the competition begins.
Open Format: For this reason, we have decided to transition ESL Challenger League Europe to an open tournament format with significantly shorter commitments for participating teams and greater scheduling flexibility around other open LAN events. Instead of a traditional league format, we will organise a larger number of shorter cups, each requiring only a three-day commitment.
Path to ESL Pro League: For most teams, the primary objective remains qualification for ESL Pro League, which can now be achieved by winning a single cup followed by the regional finals.
- Europe will transition to a Tier 2 open tournament format, meaning there will be no VRS invites.
- Registration will be open to all teams, with final team selection based on VRS rankings.
- Each cup will feature a maximum of 16 teams.
- From all registered teams, the highest-ranked teams in the VRS, determined by the majority of the lineup displayed in the VRS, will be selected to participate.
Registration Logistics: Please find a signup form attached next to each cup announcement. We will update and filter the response sheet every few days so teams can see which participants are currently projected to qualify based on VRS standings.
- Registrations close 72 hours before each cup.
- Selected teams have a 24-hour window to confirm participation.
- A public response sheet will track projected qualifiers based on live VRS standings.
- Registrations will close 72 hours before the start of each cup. Selected teams will then have 24 hours to confirm participation. If a team fails to confirm within that timeframe, the next eligible team from the registration list will receive the slot.
Flexibility: We will be announcing all dates in advance, the new format gives us the flexibility to adjust schedules with short notice to accommodate major open LAN events in the planned period, so if it makes sense, we may adjust the schedule.
Other regions: Improved Accessibility
In other regions, we believe the ecosystem is currently less saturated and the league format remains viable. However, we have observed that teams in smaller regions often face difficulties maintaining stable rosters throughout a season. To help address this, we will introduce the following changes:
- New roster rules allow for more flexible use of substitutes.
- Shorter deadlines for invite acceptance and roster submissions to streamline participation for smaller regions.
Regional Finals: Increase Stability and Fairness
We will also be making several general changes to the Regional Finals format, in Europe but also overall.
EU Expansion: With Europe hosting 14 cups during the season, the Regional Finals will grow to 16 teams (14 cup winners plus 2 ESEA League slots).
Seeding & Multi-Wins: Seeding bonuses for multiple cup victories are removed in all regions. As we are operating with wildcard invites, if a team wins multiple cups, priority will be given to inviting the respective runners-up. If those teams have already qualified, we may extend invitations directly based on VRS rankings.
FORMATS & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
CUP INFORMATION
Prize money overview
Season 52 will see an allocation of $290,000 in total winnings. Europe will have winnings both across the cups and the regional final, while North America, South America, Asia, and Oceania will have winnings only across cups. The split is as follows:
| Total winnings: $290,000 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region | Europe | North America | South America | Asia | Oceania | |
| Placement / Event type | Cup | Regional Final | Cup | Cup | Cup | Cup |
| 第 1 名 | $4,000 | $2,000 | $8,000 | $8,000 | $5,000 | $1,500 |
| 第 2 名 | $2,000 | $0 | $4,000 | $4,000 | $2,500 | $1,000 |
| 第三名 | $1,000 | $0 | $2,000 | $2,000 | $1,500 | $0 |
| 第四名 | $0 | $0 | $1,500 | $1,500 | $1,000 | $0 |
| 5th - 6th | $0 | $0 | $1,000 | $1,000 | $0 | $0 |
| 5th - 6th | $0 | $0 | $1,000 | $1,000 | $0 | $0 |
| All other places | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total (per event) | $7,000 | $2,000 | $17,500 | $17,500 | $10,000 | $2,500 |
| No. of events | 14 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Total (per season) | $100,000 | $70,000 | $70,000 | $40,000 | $10,000 | |
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 or a team is banned by ESL, FACEIT or ESIC
Europe
- Ranked Tier 2 regional event
- Prize money: $7,000 (per cup)
- Participants: 16 teams (per cup)
- Format:
- 小组赛
- 16 teams - 4 groups of 4 teams
- Double elimination
- All matches best-of-three
- Two teams per group advance to Playoffs
- 淘汰赛
- 8 teams
- Single elimination
- All matches best-of-three
- 小组赛
- Location: Online (European servers)
- Winner of each cup is invited to the ECL Season 52 Europe Regional Finals
- Tournament filter: From all registered teams, the 16 highest-ranked teams in the VRS (on the seeding date), determined by the majority of the lineup displayed in the VRS, will be selected to participate.
Cup specific information
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- Cup 1
- Tournament dates: Sunday, July 12 - Tuesday, July 14, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Open tournament, no invites.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of July 2026.
- Cup 1
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- Signup Form: https://forms.gle/DkyzTEtrL1yicaHTA
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- Signup Form Response Sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Briuwl60bu9BB35aRRNmGXcjDvujCCJN5WIhbTWpCac/edit?usp=sharing
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-
- Cup 2
- Tournament dates: Sunday, August 2 - Tuesday, August 4, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Open tournament, no invites.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of July 2026.
- Cup 2
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- Signup Form: https://forms.gle/Ksbnz7rbCoHsiVSf8
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- Signup Form Response Sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1IlE20HlhvziQ9UIrphhFwC8HdbFQIdqZuctg9gRUC2M/edit?usp=sharing
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- Cup 3
- Tournament dates: Friday, August 14 - Sunday, August 16, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Open tournament, no invites.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of August 2026.
- Cup 3
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- Signup Form: https://forms.gle/3SoaZ2XHcGMj3jQN9
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- Signup Form Response Sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ejg89xRXZNVTGukgUKgB2PSnFh2KlMVRPDpJzBbHWqc/edit?usp=sharing
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-
- Cup 4
- Tournament dates: Tuesday, August 18 - Thursday, August 20, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Open tournament, no invites.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of August 2026.
- Cup 4
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- Signup Form: https://forms.gle/qGXRXn6kwsUzxNNt8
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- Signup Form Response Sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wtCr5j5uscI2_hbNl_yrFbqdH714bdux1l4X67z_oEU/edit?usp=sharing
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- Cup 5
- Tournament dates: Sunday, August 30 - Tuesday, September 1, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Open tournament, no invites.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of August 2026.
- Cup 5
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- Signup Form: https://forms.gle/v8RgkZqWXyoweuit9
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- Signup Form Response Sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/12vHdBh_-WgfTHfiVPRfYeaY15Wx9FZ2fTBesGMQpdZs/edit?usp=sharing
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- Cup 6
- Tournament dates: Sunday, September 6 - Tuesday, September 8, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Open tournament, no invites.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of August 2026.
- Cup 6
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- Signup Form: https://forms.gle/jrvsPR4djFh8E3DDA
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- Signup Form Response Sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YKCP9mtJCRSDzDaiimHqyaPb6DaTFDkTE2UlR0RpAaw/edit?usp=sharing
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- Cup 7
- Tournament dates: Tuesday, September 22 - Thursday, September 24, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Open tournament, no invites.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of September 2026.
- Cup 7
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- Signup Form: https://forms.gle/CCCwUaAxiA5hbuP38
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- Signup Form Response Sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1e-9s6V2jWYJk3a7vQAxGXWq42h6GOx_KYrb8x9FEg1Q/edit?usp=sharing
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- Cup 8
- Tournament dates: Wednesday, October 7 - Friday, October 9, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Open tournament, no invites.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of October 2026.
- Cup 8
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- Signup Form: https://forms.gle/yYW6CoRa57fv6iGcA
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- Signup Form Response Sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1XSnhpOOxlHAUasHRBeGbZVH1wks8AOpILL-mQorfDYc/edit?usp=sharing
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- Cup 9
- Tournament dates: Wednesday, October 21 - Friday, October 23, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Open tournament, no invites.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of October 2026.
- Cup 9
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- Signup Form: https://forms.gle/smwH9QZLAEcosMDUA
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- Signup Form Response Sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1N6okCnwho85I7jqcBIWNNsicuMEIi155Qa5SSU529AM/edit?usp=sharing
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- Cup 10
- Tournament dates: Monday, November 2 - Wednesday, November 4, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Open tournament, no invites.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of October 2026.
- Cup 10
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- Signup Form: https://forms.gle/ivjt2y7oQ5jijbPP6
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- Signup Form Response Sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vKX48p5J4wHzjvmIzboYMnD2TJIsTfK30XskStI7i6Y/edit?usp=sharing
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- Cup 11
- Tournament dates: Saturday, November 7 - Monday, November 9, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Open tournament, no invites.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of November 2026.
- Cup 11
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- Signup Form: https://forms.gle/8ffDZCtZk8AXkeSS7
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- Signup Form Response Sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fwPeNOIDkhwxJzoUeq18t26vzdMI5QcXWiQHfdNsHlY/edit?usp=sharing
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- Cup 12
- Tournament dates: Thursday, November 12 - Saturday, November 14, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Open tournament, no invites.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of November 2026.
- Cup 12
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- Signup Form: https://forms.gle/36f1251CFB5xg2Pa7
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- Signup Form Response Sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nAM1hEEnJKOSPzkMyAgcT26e_vSlj_9EyNJnY9sIu74/edit?usp=sharing
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- Cup 13
- Tournament dates: Thursday, December 3 - Saturday, December 5, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Open tournament, no invites.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of November 2026.
- Cup 13
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- Signup Form: https://forms.gle/S4xuDbUegqCuTFEq6
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- Signup Form Response Sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1i7fq-TWx0gRIuD8ov5batgiei0QdJYnW42maCPiw8HM/edit?usp=sharing
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- Cup 14
- Tournament dates: Monday, December 7 - Wednesday, December 9, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Open tournament, no invites.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of November 2026.
- Cup 14
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- Signup Form: https://forms.gle/shqNq7AvNgbo7cQN9
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- Signup Form Response Sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dnoC4DiztAbqC3DHTVPoG6_RlX_S5uOG5tDP1R5EsFc/edit?usp=sharing
-
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 52 North America Regional Finals
Cup specific information
- Cup 1
- Tournament dates: Tuesday, August 25 - Tuesday, September 1, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of August 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of August 2026.
- Cup 2
- Tournament dates: Tuesday, September 22 - Tuesday, September 29, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of August 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of September 2026.
- Cup 3
- Tournament dates: Thursday, October 8 - Thursday, October 15, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of September 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of September 2026.
- Cup 4
- Tournament dates: Thursday, December 3 - Thursday, December 10, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of November 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of November 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-16th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
2. |
North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
3. |
North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
4. |
North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
5. |
North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
6. |
North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
7. |
North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
8. |
North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
9. |
North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
10. |
North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
11. |
North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
12. |
North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
13. |
North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
14. |
North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
15. |
ESEA Season 57 Winner |
North America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
ESEA Season 58 Winner |
|
16. |
ESEA Season 57 Runner-up |
North America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
North America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
ESEA Season 58 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 52 South America Regional Finals
Cup specific information
- Cup 1
- Tournament dates: Tuesday, August 25 - Tuesday, September 1, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of August 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of August 2026.
- Cup 2
- Tournament dates: Tuesday, September 22 - Tuesday, September 29, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of August 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of September 2026.
- Cup 3
- Tournament dates: Thursday, October 8 - Thursday, October 15, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of September 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of September 2026.
- Cup 4
- Tournament dates: Thursday, December 3 - Thursday, December 10, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of November 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of November 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-16th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
2. |
South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
3. |
South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
4. |
South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
5. |
South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
6. |
South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
7. |
South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
8. |
South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
9. |
South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
10. |
South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
11. |
South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
12. |
South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
13. |
South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
14. |
South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
15. |
ESEA Season 57 Winner |
South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
ESEA Season 58 Winner |
|
16. |
ESEA Season 57 Runner-up |
South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
South America VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
ESEA Season 58 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 52 Asia-Oceania Regional Finals
Cup specific information
- Cup 1
- Tournament dates: Tuesday, August 25 - Tuesday, September 1, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of August 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of August 2026.
- Cup 2
- Tournament dates: Tuesday, September 22 - Tuesday, September 29, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of August 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of September 2026.
- Cup 3
- Tournament dates: Thursday, October 8 - Thursday, October 15, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of September 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of September 2026.
- Cup 4
- Tournament dates: Thursday, December 3 - Thursday, December 10, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of November 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of November 2026.
Slot distribution
|
Slot no. |
Cup 1 |
Cup 2 |
Cup 3 |
Cup 4 |
|
1. |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
2. |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
3. |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
4. |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
5. |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
6. |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
7. |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
8. |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
9. |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
10. |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
11. |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
12. |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
13. |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
14. |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-14th) |
|
15. |
ESEA Season 57 Winner |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
ESEA Season 58 Winner |
|
16. |
ESEA Season 57 Runner-up |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
Asia VRS Invite (1st-16th) |
ESEA Season 58 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)
- Winner of each cup is invited to the ECL Season 52 Asia-Oceania Regional Finals
Cup specific information
- Cup 1
- Tournament dates: Tuesday, August 25 - Tuesday, September 1, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of August 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of August 2026.
- Cup 2
- Tournament dates: Tuesday, September 22 - Tuesday, September 29, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of August 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of September 2026.
- Cup 3
- Tournament dates: Thursday, October 8 - Thursday, October 15, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of September 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of September 2026.
- Cup 4
- Tournament dates: Thursday, December 3 - Thursday, December 10, 2026
- VRS publication date for invites: Invites will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of November 2026.
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of November 2026.
Slot distribution
|
Slot no. |
Cup 1 |
Cup 2 |
Cup 3 |
Cup 4 |
|
1. |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-10th) |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-10th) |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) |
|
2. |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-10th) |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-10th) |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) |
|
3. |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-10th) |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-10th) |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) |
|
4. |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-10th) |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-10th) |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) |
|
5. |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-10th) |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-10th) |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) |
|
6. |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-10th) |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-10th) |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) |
|
7. |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-10th) |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-10th) |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) |
|
8. |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-10th) |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-10th) |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-8th) |
|
9. |
ESEA Season 57 Winner |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-10th) |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-10th) |
ESEA Season 58 Winner |
|
10. |
ESEA Season 57 Runner-up |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-10th) |
Oceania VRS Invite (1st-10th) |
ESEA Season 58 Runner-up |
REGIONAL FINALS INFORMATION
General information
- Ranked Tier 2 Wildcard event
- Participants:
- Europe: 16 teams
- North America: 4 teams
- South America: 4 teams
- Asia-Oceania: 8 teams
- Format:
- Europe: Double elimination, all matches until grand final are best-of-three, grand final match best-of-five
- North America: Single elimination, semifinal matches best-of-three, grand final match best-of-five
- South America: Single elimination, semifinal matches best-of-three, grand final match best-of-five
- Asia-Oceania: Single elimination, quarterfinals matches best-of-three, semifinal matches best-of-three, and grand final match best-of-five
- Winner of each regional final is invited to the ESL Pro League Season 25
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 or a team is banned by ESL, FACEIT or ESIC
Region specific information
- Europe
- Tournament dates: Monday, December 14 - Friday, December 18, 2026
- Location: Online (European servers)
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of December 2026.
- North America
- Tournament dates: Wednesday, December 16 - Friday, December 18, 2026
- Location: Online (American servers)
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of December 2026.
- South America
- Tournament dates: Wednesday, December 16 - Friday, December 18, 2026
- Location: Online (South American servers)
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of December 2026.
- Asia-Oceania
- Tournament dates: Tuesday, December 15 - Friday, December 18, 2026
- Location: Online (Asian servers)
- VRS publication for seeding: Seeding will follow the first available monthly VRS publication of December 2026.
Slot distribution
|
Slot no. |
Europe |
North America |
South America |
Asia-Oceania |
|
1. |
ECL Season 52 Europe Cup 1 Winner |
ECL Season 52 North America Cup 1 Winner |
ECL Season 52 South America Cup 1 Winner |
ECL Season 52 Asia Cup 1 Winner |
|
2. |
ECL Season 52 Europe Cup 2 Winner |
ECL Season 52 North America Cup 2 Winner |
ECL Season 52 South America Cup 2 Winner |
ECL Season 52 Oceania Cup 1 Winner |
|
3. |
ECL Season 52 Europe Cup 3 Winner |
ECL Season 52 North America Cup 3 Winner |
ECL Season 52 South America Cup 3 Winner |
ECL Season 52 Asia Cup 2 Winner |
|
4. |
ECL Season 52 Europe Cup 4 Winner |
ECL Season 52 North America Cup 4 Winner |
ECL Season 52 South America Cup 4 Winner |
ECL Season 52 Oceania Cup 2 Winner |
|
5. |
ECL Season 52 Europe Cup 5 Winner |
ECL Season 52 Asia Cup 3 Winner |
||
|
6. |
ECL Season 52 Europe Cup 6 Winner |
ECL Season 52 Oceania Cup 3 Winner |
||
|
7. |
ECL Season 52 Europe Cup 7 Winner |
ECL Season 52 Asia Cup 4 Winner |
||
|
8. |
ECL Season 52 Europe Cup 8 Winner |
ECL Season 52 Oceania Cup 4 Winner |
||
|
9. |
ECL Season 52 Europe Cup 9 Winner |
|||
|
10. |
ECL Season 52 Europe Cup 10 Winner |
|||
|
11. |
ECL Season 52 Europe Cup 11 Winner |
|||
|
12. |
ECL Season 52 Europe Cup 12 Winner |
|||
|
13. |
ECL Season 52 Europe Cup 13 Winner |
|||
|
14. |
ECL Season 52 Europe Cup 14 Winner |
|||
|
15. |
ESEA League Season 57/58 Winner/Runner-up |
|||
|
16. |
ESEA League Season 57/58 Winner/Runner-up |
OUTRO
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