ESL has announced that top-tier Counter-Strike will return to the famous Spodek Arena in Katowice in 2026.
The temple of esports isn’t staying barren for long. The home of many historic CS moments in Poland will take its rightful place as the stomping ground for the world’s best Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) teams once again.
The Spodek Arena in all its glory Image Credit: ESL/Helena Kristiansson
The ESL Pro League (EPL) Season 24 Finals will see them compete for the lion’s share of a $1,000,000 prize pool and a chance to lift the coveted trophy.
The Spodek Arena, which can host roughly 11,000 fans, has been a staple in the Counter-Strike scene for over a decade.
From “Virtus Plow,” the legendary Virtus.pro roster (NEO, pashaBiceps, Snax, byali, and TaZ) who won the ESL Major Series One Katowice 2014, to Team Vitality winning IEM Katowice 2025, and Dan “apEX” Madesclaire completing his collection of CS trophies, the Spodek has seen it all.
From Couch to Crowd 🕹️
The #ESLProLeague Season 24 Finals are headed to the iconic Spodek Arena in Katowice, Poland 🇵🇱
📅 October 9th-11th, 2026 pic.twitter.com/FP3ahxnQSw
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) August 12, 2025
In the announcement, ESL FACEIT Group’s Marc Winther, Director of Game Ecosystems – Counter-Strike, commented:
“For over a decade, ESL Pro League has been a cornerstone of competitive Counter-Strike, and we’ve been eager to bring it back in front of a big live audience, as esports is at its best when experienced live in-person.”
“Katowice has been the birthplace of dozens of champions, and Spodek Arena has witnessed countless iconic moments over the years – it’s where Counter-Strike truly took a massive leap. With its storied history and inimitable atmosphere, there’s no better place for our fans to enjoy the thrill of ESL Pro League live.”
This move marks a significant milestone in modern EPL events, as the last arena playoffs for the storied CS event series were held in Odense, Denmark, in 2019.
Katowice Embraces Counter-Strike Once More
Katowice is best known by those outside of the esports realm as a city of commerce. However, when Counter-Strike comes to town, the entire place transforms to become a bustling hub of CS die-hards.
The city’s Mayor Marcin Krupa has signalled the departure of the hype train — Destination: Katowice.
“For years now, Katowice has been a symbol of global esports, and Spodek – its temple. The return of the ESL Pro League to a format with a live audience and the choice of our city as the host of the finals is a sign of trust and recognition for our long-standing cooperation with ESL FACEIT Group. The city of Katowice strengthens its position as the Counter-Strike history will be written here once again – with the best players and thousands of fans from around the world,” he commented.
ESL Pro League Season 24 – Playoffs Overview
- Playoffs start date: October 9, 2026
- Playoffs end date: October 11, 2026
- Prize pool: $1,000,000
- Playoffs venue: Spodek Arena
Mark your calendars. Katowice’s back. Image Credit: ESL
ESL will provide more details at a later date, including the number of teams competing, tournament format, and the complete schedule.
Earlier this year, ESL announced IEM Katowice would transition to IEM Kraków, which will take place at the bigger venue, the Tauron Arena, under a multi-year agreement.