ESL changes qualification system for its most prestigious events in Cologne and Katowice

Tournament operator ESL has decided to abandon the points system in the ESL Pro Tour regional rankings, which determined 16 of the 24 teams participating in the prestigious IEM Cologne and IEM Katowice tournaments. This was reported on the company’s official website.

According to the published press release, the changes to the qualifying format of the ESL flagship tournaments will come into effect from 2023. Therefore, IEM Cologne 2022, scheduled for July 5-17, will be the last event with the use of the ESL Pro Tour system.

Starting with IEM Katowice 2023, ESL will give direct invites to its top tournaments based on the world ranking of teams. More spots will be given to the winners of partner tournaments and a number of the pro scene’s key events, such as the ESL Pro League and Major.

The distribution of spots for IEM Cologne and IEM Katowice according to the new system:

Group stage teams

EPT Championship winner
EPT Masters winner
EPT Masters winner
Major winner
ESL Ranking
ESL Ranking
ESL Ranking
ESL Ranking

Стадия Play-In

ESL Ranking
ESL Ranking
ESL Ranking
ESL Ranking
ESL Ranking EU
ESL Ranking EU
ESL Ranking EU
ESL Ranking NA
ESL Ranking NA
ESL Ranking NA
ESL Ranking SA
ESL Ranking Asia
ESL Ranking Oceania
ESL National (IEM Katowice – Poland, IEM Cologne – Germany)
Affiliate event winner
Affiliate event winner
Affiliate event winner

The ESL press release clarifies that when a team wins two slots in one tournament, the additional slot will go to the best representative of the world ranking.

Origin: pro.eslgaming.com