- ESL Pro League Season 23 CS2 overview
- Why Vitality and Falcons are skipping EPL S23
- Key format changes: online vs LAN
- Stage 1 teams at ESL Pro League Season 23
- Stage 2 elite teams at ESL Pro League Season 23
- What EPL S23 means for the 2026 CS2 season
- How EPL S23 can affect the CS2 skins economy
ESL Pro League Season 23 CS2 overview
ESL Pro League Season 23 is one of the flagship Counter-Strike 2 events on the 2026 calendar. It is tied into ESL Grand Slam VI, where a massive $1,000,000 prize awaits the first team to win a set of ESL and IEM tier-one trophies. That alone makes EPL S23 a must-watch event for any CS2 fan.
However, this season is not just “more of the same.” ESL has implemented a major structural change: the first phase of the tournament is moving back to an online environment instead of being played fully on LAN like in Season 22. This decision has sparked debate among players, talent, and fans, especially when two of the world’s strongest teams — Team Vitality and Team Falcons — decided not to attend.
Even without those giants, the lineup is stacked. From legendary organizations like Natus Vincere and FaZe Clan to rising squads like Aurora Gaming and B8, EPL S23 is loaded with storylines, form checks, and potential upsets.
Why Vitality and Falcons are skipping EPL S23
One of the biggest headlines around ESL Pro League Season 23 is the absence of Team Vitality and Team Falcons. Both teams were invited directly but declined their spots, forcing ESL to reshuffle the invites and opening doors for other squads.
Officially, ESL has not released detailed reasons from either organization, and the teams have avoided going too deep in public statements. Based on the schedule and competitive context, several reasonable factors likely played a role:
- Brutal scheduling: The next top-tier CS2 event is set to start just two days after the EPL Season 23 grand final. For teams with championship ambitions at multiple events, that means minimal rest, travel stress, and limited practice time between tournaments.
- Focus on priority events: With IEM Cologne 2026 being a CS2 Major, some teams may prioritize building routines and peak form around the Major cycle instead of playing every single big event.
- Online Stage 1 concerns: The transition of the opening stage to an online format can be a turn-off for top teams that prefer the competitive integrity and prestige of LAN-only tournaments.
There is also a symbolic angle here. Vitality are the reigning EPL Season 22 champions, and they beat Falcons in that very grand final. Both finalists now skipping Season 23 dramatically reshapes the competitive landscape, turning the tournament into a more open race with new favorites.
The immediate beneficiaries of these decisions are Passion UA and Ninjas in Pyjamas, who received invites to Stage 1, while Aurora Gaming and B8 are bumped up to Stage 2. For these squads, Vitality and Falcons stepping away is a massive opportunity to gain experience, points, and prize money on a big stage.
Key format changes: online vs LAN
The biggest structural twist for ESL Pro League Season 23 is that Stage 1 is played online. In Season 22, even early matches were held on LAN, so this is a step back in terms of traditional Pro League prestige.
This change has several implications:
- Competitive variance: Online play can introduce higher variance due to ping differences, comfort levels at home or in team facilities, and small tech issues. Some teams historically considered “online merchants” might benefit from this environment.
- Viewership experience: LAN events naturally deliver better atmosphere, stage presence, and crowd energy. Online matches can feel less intense to watch, especially in the opening phases.
- Accessibility and cost: For organizations, playing the first portion of EPL online reduces travel costs and logistics, which can be a positive for newer or smaller organizations.
Once Stage 1 concludes, the event returns to the classic elite LAN experience in Stage 2, where top teams and successful Stage 1 squads clash under the lights and in front of cameras.
Stage 1 teams at ESL Pro League Season 23
Stage 1 is where many big-name organizations surprisingly start their journey. Despite being an online phase, the lineup includes teams that are perfectly capable of making deep runs at tier-one LANs.
The Stage 1 team pool includes:
- Legacy
- Astralis
- Ninjas in Pyjamas
- Gaimin Gladiators
- G2 Esports
- HEROIC
- Passion UA
- SemperFi Esports
- Team Liquid
- paiN Gaming
- PARIVISION
- M80
- 3DMAX
- FUT Esports
- NRG
- Monte
Many of these teams are already familiar to long-time Counter-Strike fans, while others are climbing the ladder through regional events and qualifiers.
Notable Stage 1 contenders
Some organizations in Stage 1 have enough pedigree and firepower to be considered contenders for the whole event, even if they start from the online portion.
G2 Esports are a prime example. They come into EPL Season 23 as the BLAST Open Fall 2025 champions, but their form has been up and down between tournaments. That inconsistency is part of the reason they find themselves seeded lower than their peak level suggests. If they stabilize their map pool and reduce individual mistakes, G2 could easily bulldoze their way through Stage 1 and become a real threat in Stage 2.
Legacy is another fascinating case. The team enjoyed a high point by winning the CS Asia Championships 2025, proving they can perform on a big stage against serious competition. At the same time, they struggled at the Budapest Major 2025, failing to make it beyond the early stages. EPL S23 will be an important test of whether Legacy can find consistency or will remain a feast-or-famine lineup.
Astralis and HEROIC both carry rich legacies from the CS:GO era. Even if their current rosters do not resemble their peak championship lineups, the organizations still demand high standards. Pro League’s online opening stage could be exactly the controlled environment they need to rebuild confidence.
Team Liquid and paiN Gaming bring a strong North and South American presence into Stage 1. Liquid will be aiming to reclaim a stable tier-one status after years of roster shuffles, while paiN continue to represent the depth of Brazilian Counter-Strike beyond the top brands.
Qualifiers and underdog stories to watch
Beyond big brands, Stage 1 also features organizations promoted via regional competitions like ESL Challenger League Season 50 and DreamHack Knockout tournaments. These teams may not carry the same weight as G2 or Astralis, but they are often dangerous in an online setting.
M80 is a good example of a rising team that has shown both promise and vulnerability. They started impressively at the Budapest Major, hinting at a possible Cinderella run, but eventually collapsed under the pressure in the later stage. EPL S23 gives them another chance to prove they can translate early momentum into consistent best-of-three performances.
Monte are particularly interesting to follow. Although they may be relatively obscure for casual viewers, they have already achieved a major statement win, taking down NAVI in the BLAST Bounty Winter 2026 online qualifier and eliminating them from the event. For Stage 1, this kind of giant-killing potential makes Monte one of the scariest underdogs in the bracket.
Organizations like Gaimin Gladiators, FUT Esports, 3DMAX, and NRG will also be eager to use the EPL spotlight to prove they belong in the conversation with the bigger brands. In previous Pro League seasons, online phases have often produced unexpected breakthroughs that reshaped how talent scouts and analysts view certain rosters.
Stage 2 elite teams at ESL Pro League Season 23
Stage 2 is where the elite of the elite enters the server. This phase is played on LAN and features a mixture of top-ranked squads and newly promoted teams that seized their opportunity after Vitality and Falcons stepped away.
The core Stage 2 lineup includes:
- FURIA
- FaZe Clan
- Team Spirit
- The MongolZ
- Natus Vincere (NAVI)
- Aurora Gaming
- MOUZ
- B8
Aurora Gaming and B8 were originally slated for lower positions but were promoted into Stage 2 after Vitality and Falcons declined their invites. This promotion is huge for both squads: they get guaranteed LAN exposure against some of the world’s best, as well as a better shot at prize money and ranking points.
Favorites for the EPL S23 title
With Vitality and Falcons out, the title picture changes drastically. Among the remaining teams, FURIA stand out as arguably the top favorites coming into ESL Pro League Season 23.
FURIA had an almost miraculous second half of 2025, where their explosive, aggressive style clicked perfectly. If they carry even a portion of that form into early 2026, they will be one of the most feared opponents at this event. What makes FURIA particularly dangerous is that, unlike some more methodical teams, they are comfortable creating chaos, taking duels, and forcing opponents into uncomfortable positions early in rounds.
Still, it’s important to see how they adapt to the fresh competitive season. Roster changes, meta shifts, and practice priorities during the off-season can all influence their early 2026 performance.
Team Spirit and MOUZ should also be near the top of any power ranking for EPL S23. Spirit are the IEM Cologne 2025 champions, defeating MOUZ in the grand final of that event. That result proves Spirit can perform under intense LAN pressure against top-tier opposition.
MOUZ, on the other hand, have been one of the most consistently strong squads in CS2, mixing young talent with experienced leadership. Their trajectory suggests that another deep run — or even a title — at Pro League is entirely realistic.
Other teams with realistic title aspirations include:
- FaZe Clan — a historically star-studded lineup with a huge fanbase and strong LAN pedigree.
- Natus Vincere (NAVI) — always dangerous if their star players hit peak form at the right time.
- The MongolZ — the kings of surprise upsets, especially when they adapt well to a tournament’s meta and map pool.
Teams with a point to prove
Some Stage 2 teams arrive at EPL Season 23 in a slightly more uncertain position and will be looking to prove that they still deserve top seeding.
NAVI and FaZe Clan both suffered setbacks in the online qualifier for BLAST Bounty Winter 2026, losing to underdogs and leaving the tournament earlier than expected. For organizations used to playing on the final day of big events, those losses were a wake-up call.
At EPL S23, they have the chance to:
- Show that the BLAST issues were just a blip rather than a trend.
- Rebuild confidence heading into the rest of the 2026 circuit.
- Silence critics who question whether their current rosters can still dominate.
Aurora Gaming and B8 will feel less pressure in terms of expectations but more pressure in terms of opportunity. Being elevated to Stage 2 by Vitality and Falcons stepping out is a rare boost; making the most of it by stealing maps or series from giants could define their entire competitive year.
The MongolZ occupy a hybrid role: they have already gained international recognition with several high-impact tournament runs, but they are still often labeled as wildcards rather than true favorites. A deep run or even a Pro League trophy would permanently change how analysts and fans rank them.
What EPL S23 means for the 2026 CS2 season
ESL Pro League Season 23 is not an isolated event. It is a key part of the 2026 CS2 ecosystem, both for ESL and for the broader competitive landscape.
ESL FACEIT Group has packed the first half of 2026 with top-tier events, including:
- ESL Pro League Season 23
- IEM Kraków
- IEM Rio
- IEM Atlanta
- IEM Cologne 2026 — now upgraded to a CS2 Major
IEM Cologne 2026, scheduled for June 2 to June 21, is the centerpiece of this run. With Major status and the prestige that Cologne already carries as a historic Counter-Strike city, teams will carefully manage their calendars to peak at that event.
In that context, EPL S23 is crucial for several reasons:
- Form and confidence: Teams that perform well at EPL can build momentum heading into IEM stops and the Cologne Major.
- Testing ground for strategies: Pro League provides a long-format environment to test new maps, roles, and executes in official play.
- Ranking points and invites: Strong results help secure invites to future S-tier events, reducing the pressure of going through tough qualifiers.
For newer teams like Passion UA, B8, Aurora Gaming, and Monte, this season is a chance to lock in their status as regulars at tier-one events rather than just one-off surprises from qualifiers.
How EPL S23 can affect the CS2 skins economy
Big tournaments don’t just shape the competitive storylines — they also have a real impact on the CS2 skins economy. Whenever a team or player pops off on a certain weapon, demand for that weapon’s skins can spike on third-party markets.
Here are a few ways ESL Pro League Season 23 might influence player behavior and item prices:
- Signature weapons and highlight plays: If a star rifler dominates EPL S23 with an AK-47 skin or a specific M4 pattern, fans often rush to buy the same look.
- Underdog hype: When underdog teams like Monte, B8, or Aurora pull off massive upsets, their popular loadouts sometimes see a noticeable increase in interest.
- Sticker and autograph synergy: Although EPL itself doesn’t always ship event-specific sticker capsules like Majors, the teams that succeed here gain visibility. That can positively affect interest in their future stickers or existing ones from other events.
If you’re planning to refresh your inventory ahead of EPL S23 or react to trends during the tournament, it’s smart to use a reliable marketplace. On sites like cs2 skins platforms such as UUSkins, you can usually find better prices and more flexible payment options than on the default Steam Market.
For collectors still holding onto CS:GO-era items, remember that many legacy skins transitioned into CS2 with updated lighting and visuals. Browsing csgo skins listings can be a great way to spot underpriced classics that look fantastic in the new engine.
General tips for navigating the skins market around a big event like EPL Season 23:
- Don’t panic-buy on day one: Prices can spike briefly after a highlight but often stabilize after the initial hype.
- Track player and team popularity: Skins associated with fan-favorite stars tend to hold value better.
- Use reputable third-party sites: Platforms such as UUSkins typically offer lower fees than Steam, which is crucial if you trade or upgrade skins frequently.
Whether you’re watching EPL S23 purely for the competition or also hunting for the next cosmetic trend, combining esports knowledge with smart market timing can make the viewing experience even more rewarding.
As ESL Pro League Season 23 unfolds, expect storylines both inside and outside the server: new champions emerging in a field without Vitality and Falcons, old legends fighting to stay relevant, and the ever-evolving CS2 economy responding to the biggest plays on the biggest stage.
