The ESL FACEIT Group has officially announced that the legendary Spodek Arena in Katowice, Poland will host the ESL Pro League Season 24 Finals from October 9 to 11, 2026. This marks a monumental comeback for one of Counter-Strike’s most prestigious stages, bringing the Playoffs back to a roaring live audience for the first time in seven years.
The decision to return to Spodek Arena comes as part of a renewed partnership between ESL FACEIT Group and the city of Katowice. This “mutual understanding” will not only revive the electric atmosphere that fans have come to love but also aims to secure the city as a long-term hub for top-tier esports competition. The move is particularly special given that IEM Katowice, another flagship ESL event, will shift to Kraków in 2026 making this return to Spodek a statement that Katowice’s esports legacy is far from over.
Marc Winther, Director of Game Ecosystems for Counter-Strike at ESL FACEIT Group, expressed the significance of this moment: “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. Katowice is the birthplace of dozens of champions, and Spodek Arena has witnessed countless iconic moments over the years. With its storied history and unmatched atmosphere, there’s no better place for our fans to experience the thrill of ESL Pro League.”
This will be the first time since 2019 that ESL Pro League Playoffs will be played in a major live arena. The last occasion was ESL Pro League Season 10 at the Jyske Bank Arena in Odense, Denmark. Since then, the Playoffs have been staged in more restricted or online formats, making the 2026 edition a powerful statement of Counter-Strike’s resurgence in the live-event scene.
The announcement also fits into ESL’s bigger vision for Counter-Strike esports in 2026. Beyond the Pro League Finals, the calendar will see IEM events across the globe, including in Brazil, the United States, and China. Cologne will play host to the first CS2 Major of the 2026 season, marking the return of the Lanxess Arena to Major status for the first time in a decade.
The Spodek Arena has always been more than just a venue. It is a place where legends are made, rivalries are cemented, and the crowd’s roar becomes part of the competition itself. With the return of the Pro League to this hallowed ground, fans can expect an electric atmosphere that will bring Counter-Strike’s best moments to life once again.
For the players, the stakes are enormous not just for the prize pool and glory, but for the chance to etch their names alongside the champions who have made history under Spodek’s iconic roof.
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