ESL Pro League Season 21 features a revamped two-stage format, with matches now hosted at ESL's Stockholm studios rather than Malta. The intimate, crowdless setting adds a unique dynamic to the competition.

Stage 1 (March 1-5) sees 16 teams battle through a best-of-three Swiss System, with eight teams advancing to playoffs. Stage 2 (March 7-16) mirrors this format, producing another eight playoff qualifiers.

The tournament boasts a $1,000,000 prize pool shared between players and organizations. The 24-team field consists of 16 direct invites and 8 qualifiers, creating a diverse competitive landscape.

With FaZe Clan's withdrawal, teams like Spirit, Vitality, G2, Natus Vincere, and Team Liquid emerge as primary contenders. Early matches have already produced surprising results, highlighting the tournament's unpredictable nature.

The combination of the new format, venue change, and strong team roster suggests Season 21 will deliver compelling Counter-Strike action for both competitors and viewers.

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