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ESL Gaming
From Liquipedia Dota 2 Wiki
| ESL Pro Tour 2025/2026 |
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ESL Gaming GmbH
Company Information
Parent Company:
Founded:
1997 as Deutsche ClanLiga
2000 as ESL
2000 as ESL
Location:
Headquarters:
Cologne
Employees:
1001-5000[1]
Key People:
Craig Levine (Co-CEO)
Niccolo Maisto (Co-CEO)
Niccolo Maisto (Co-CEO)
Focus:
Esports Production
Awarded Prize Pools:
$63,021,303
Links
ESL Gaming GmbH (formerly known as the Electronic Sports League) is the world’s largest esports company.
Overview
[edit]The Electronic Sports League was launched in 2000 as the internationalization of the Deutsche ClanLiga. The ESL started as a series of online leagues as well as an online magazine known as ESLGaming.com. Since its launch, ESL has grown to be the largest esports company in the world with offices all around the globe. The Electronic Sports League was rebranded as just ESL in 2014. In July 2015, the Modern Times Group acquired a majority stake (74.04%) in Turtle Entertainment, later increasing it by a further 8.44% in September 2018.
ESL is nowadays present in 37 countries. Each sections of ESL are operated by ventures under a license granted by Turtle Entertainment GmbH. These sections could correspond to a country, (like ESL Germany for instance), or to a group of low-demography countries (like ESL Nordic for Finland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark).
ESL has supported over 50 games in different games and runs dozens of tournaments every year.
In September 2020, ESL and DreamHack merged to form ESL Gaming though both brands will continue to operate seperately.[2]
ESL and DreamHack merge to shape future of esports and gaming globallyThrough maximum cooperation and collaboration, and the melding of some of the best creative and visionary gaming minds in the industry, we will, together, continue to advance the innovation that drives this space via the most exceptional products and events.
For our partners, there will be more opportunities to engage with us through a wider range of activations across all levels of esports, and all aspects of gaming. And for our fans, it means we will offer one of the most expansive esports and gaming lifestyle portfolios available.
Craig Levine, ESL Gaming Co-CEO ([3])
In January 2022, ESL Gaming and FACEIT merged to form ESL FACEIT Group though both brands will continue to coexist, the group will now come under the ownership of Savvy Gaming Group.[4]
ESL and FACEIT merge to create the world's leading competitive gaming platformOur mission remains unchanged: to create a world where everybody can be somebody. Our merger with FACEIT, along with the backing of SGG, will give us more know-how, capabilities, and resources than ever before to deliver on this vision. Whether you are competing or watching, doing so socially or at a professional level, every stage of the pathway will be improved through this merger.
For gamers, publishers, and partners, this is a hugely exciting proposition, to be able to take everyone on the journey from your first step into competition to playing on the biggest esports stages globally.
Craig Levine, ESL Gaming CEO ([5])
ESL National Championship
[edit]ESL National Championship were national-based leagues. They were discontinued in September 2023.[6] Prior to its discontinuation, it has been held in Australia & New Zealand (as AU&NZ), India, Indonesia, Malaysia & Singapore (as MY&SG), Thailand, Vietnam, France, United Kingdom & Ireland (as Premiership), Germany (as Meisterschaft) and the Adriatic region.
EMS One
[edit]ESL Major Series One, or EMS One, was a premier gaming competition, sponsored by RaidCall, for Europe's best in Dota 2. The best teams from Europe competed for an overall prize fund of $121,000 USD making it the largest independent Dota 2 competition at the time. The EMS One featured both Counter Strike: Global Offensive and Dota 2 and consisted of three seasons with four cups each with $1,000 in prizes and topped off by live event finals with larger prizes of up to $39,000.
ESL One
[edit]ESL One is the successor to the EMS One league, will bring teams and players from all over the world compete in an esports tournament, initially featuring the games Dota 2, Counter Strike: Global Offensive and Battlefield 4, the ESL One will feature events taking place in sports stadiums all over the world. The first ESL One event, ESL One Frankfurt 2014, took place at the Commerzbank-Arena in Frankfurt. Eight teams will be selected to take part in the event: a select few of the world's most notable teams will have invitations extended to them, whilst the bulk of the group will have to qualify for the event through a set of regional qualifiers. It was included as part of the Dota Pro Circuit in 2017, beginning with ESL One Hamburg 2017 though ESL One events independent of the Dota Pro Circuit are still organized. ESL One events in 2020 and 2021 took place online due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ESL One Stockholm Major 2022 marks the return of lan events.
ESL One lan events gradually took place in locations spanning over 9 countries that included North America, Western Europe and Southeast Asia.
Tournaments
[edit]| Tournament | Date | Prize Pool | Location | P# | Winner | Runner-up | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESL One Birmingham 2026 | Mar 22–29, 2026 | $1,000,000 | 16 | ||||
| ESL One Raleigh 2025 | Apr 07–13, 2025 | $1,000,000 | 12 | ||||
| ESL One Bangkok 2024 | Dec 09–15, 2024 | $1,000,000 | 12 | ||||
| ESL One Birmingham 2024 | Apr 22–28, 2024 | $1,000,000 | 12 | ||||
| ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023 | Dec 11–17, 2023 | $1,000,000 | 12 | ||||
| ESL One Berlin Major 2023 | Apr 26 – May 07, 2023 | $500,000 | 18 | ||||
| ESL One Malaysia 2022 | Aug 23–28, 2022 | $400,000 | 12 | ||||
| DPC NA 2021/2022 Tour 3: Division II | Jun 06 – Jul 17, 2022 | $75,000 | 8 | ||||
| DPC NA 2021/2022 Tour 3: Division I | Jun 07 – Jul 15, 2022 | $205,000 | 8 | ||||
| ESL One Stockholm Major 2022 | May 12–22, 2022 | $500,000 | 14 | ||||
| DPC NA 2021/2022 Tour 2: Division II | Mar 14 – Apr 23, 2022 | $75,000 | 8 | ||||
| DPC NA 2021/2022 Tour 2: Division I | Mar 15 – Apr 22, 2022 | $205,000 | 8 | ||||
| DPC NA 2021/2022 Tour 1: Regional Final | Feb 18–20, 2022 | $100,000 | 4 | ||||
| DPC NA 2021/2022 Tour 1: Division II | Nov 29, 2021 – Jan 23, 2022 | $75,000 | 8 | ||||
| DPC NA 2021/2022 Tour 1: Division I | Nov 30, 2021 – Jan 20, 2022 | $205,000 | 8 | ||||
| ESL One Fall 2021 | Aug 21–29, 2021 | $400,000 | 12 | ||||
| ESL One Summer 2021 | Jun 16–20, 2021 | $400,000 | 12 | ||||
| DPC EEU 2021 Season 2: Lower Division | Apr 15 – May 23, 2021 | $75,000 | 8 | ||||
| DPC EEU 2021 Season 2: Upper Division | Apr 15 – May 21, 2021 | $205,000 | 8 | ||||
| DPC CIS 2021 Season 1: Upper Division | Jan 21 – Feb 28, 2021 | $205,000 | 8 | ||||
| DPC CIS 2021 Season 1: Lower Division | Jan 18 – Feb 26, 2021 | $75,000 | 8 | ||||
| ESL One Germany 2020 | Oct 05 – Nov 01, 2020 | $400,000 | 16 | ||||
| ESL One Thailand 2020: Asia | Aug 20 – Sep 06, 2020 | $135,000 | 12 | ||||
| ESL One Thailand 2020: Americas | Aug 08–30, 2020 | $65,000 | 8 | ||||
| ESL One Birmingham 2020 - Online: China | May 26 – Jun 07, 2020 | $55,000 | 8 | ||||
| ESL One Birmingham 2020 - Online: North & South America | May 25 – Jun 07, 2020 | $40,000 | 6 | ||||
| ESL One Birmingham 2020 - Online: Europe & CIS | May 24 – Jun 07, 2020 | $200,000 | 16 | ||||
| ESL One Birmingham 2020 | May 26–31, 2020 | $300,000 | 12 | Cancelled | |||
| ESL One Birmingham 2020 - Online: Southeast Asia | May 21–31, 2020 | $40,000 | 6 | ||||
| ESL One Los Angeles 2020 - Online: Europe & CIS | Apr 04–19, 2020 | $200,000 | 16 | ||||
| ESL One Los Angeles 2020 - Online: China | Mar 28 – Apr 05, 2020 | $55,000 | 6 | ||||
| ESL One Los Angeles 2020 - Online: South America | Mar 28 – Apr 03, 2020 | $40,000 | 4 | ||||
| ESL One Los Angeles 2020 - Online: Southeast Asia | Mar 28 – Apr 02, 2020 | $40,000 | 4 | ||||
| ESL One Los Angeles 2020 - Online: North America | Mar 28 – Apr 02, 2020 | $40,000 | 4 | ||||
| ESL One Los Angeles 2020 | Mar 15–22, 2020 | $1,000,000 | 16 | Cancelled | |||
| ESL One Hamburg 2019 | Oct 22–27, 2019 | $300,000 | 12 | ||||
| ESL One Birmingham 2019 | May 28 – Jun 02, 2019 | $300,000 | 12 | ||||
| ESL One Mumbai 2019 | Apr 16–21, 2019 | $300,000 | 8 | ||||
| ESL One Katowice 2019 | Feb 19–24, 2019 | $300,000 | 12 | ||||
| ESL One Hamburg 2018 | Oct 23–28, 2018 | $300,000 | 12 | ||||
| ESL One Birmingham 2018 | May 23–27, 2018 | $1,000,000 | 12 | ||||
| ESL One Katowice 2018 | Feb 20–25, 2018 | $1,000,000 | 16 | ||||
| ESL One Genting 2018 | Jan 23–28, 2018 | $400,000 | 16 | ||||
| ESL One Hamburg 2017 | Oct 26–29, 2017 | $1,000,000 | 8 | ||||
| ESL One Genting 2017 | Jan 06–08, 2017 | $250,000 | 8 | ||||
| ESL One Frankfurt 2016 | Jun 17–19, 2016 | $314,545 | 8 | ||||
| ESL One Manila 2016 | Apr 22–24, 2016 | $250,000 | 8 | ||||
| ESL One New York 2015 | Oct 03–04, 2015 | $286,622 | 8 | ||||
| ESL One Frankfurt 2015 | Jun 18–21, 2015 | $296,203 | 8 | ||||
| ESL One New York 2014 | Oct 09–10, 2014 | $141,010 | 8 | ||||
| ESL One Frankfurt 2014 | Jun 28–29, 2014 | $210,900 | 8 | ||||
| Tournament | Date | Prize Pool | Location | P# | Winner | Runner-up | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DreamLeague Season 29 | May 13–24, 2026 | $1,000,000 | 16 | ||||
| DreamLeague Division 2 Season 4 | Apr 19 – May 01, 2026 | $50,000 | 16 | ||||
| DreamLeague Season 28 | Feb 16 – Mar 01, 2026 | $1,000,000 | 16 | ||||
| DreamLeague Division 2 Season 3 | Feb 04–12, 2026 | $50,000 | 8 | ||||
| DreamLeague Season 27 | Dec 10–21, 2025 | $1,000,000 | 24 | ||||
| DreamLeague Division 2 Season 2 | Nov 04–11, 2025 | $50,000 | 8 | ||||
| DreamLeague Division 2 Season 1 | Oct 11–26, 2025 | $50,000 | 16 | ||||
| DreamLeague Season 26 | May 19 – Jun 01, 2025 | $1,000,000 | 16 | ||||
| DreamLeague Season 25 | Feb 16 – Mar 04, 2025 | $1,000,000 | 16 | ||||
| DreamLeague Season 24 | Oct 27 – Nov 10, 2024 | $1,000,000 | 16 | ||||
| DreamLeague Season 23 | May 20–26, 2024 | $1,000,000 | 12 | ||||
| DreamLeague Season 22 | Feb 25 – Mar 10, 2024 | $1,000,000 | 16 | ||||
| DreamLeague Season 21 | Sep 18–24, 2023 | $1,000,000 | 12 | ||||
| DreamLeague Season 20 | Jun 11–25, 2023 | $1,000,000 | 16 | ||||
| DreamLeague Season 19 | Apr 09–23, 2023 | $1,000,000 | 16 | ||||
| Tournament | Date | Prize Pool | Location | P# | Winner | Runner-up | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Esports World Cup 2026 | Jul 06–18, 2026 | $2,000,000 | 24 | ||||
| Esports World Cup 2025 | Jul 08–19, 2025 | $3,000,000 | 16 | ||||
| Riyadh Masters 2024 | Jul 04–21, 2024 | $5,000,000 | 20 | ||||
| Riyadh Masters 2023 | Jul 19–30, 2023 | $15,000,000 | 20 | ||||
| Riyadh Masters 2022 | Jul 20–24, 2022 | $4,000,000 | 10 | ||||
ESL Major Series
[edit]| Tournament | Date | Prize Pool | Location | P# | Winner | Runner-up | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EMS One Fall Season | Sep 02 – Dec 08, 2013 | $39,000 | 8 | ||||
| EMS One Summer Season | Jun 19 – Jul 14, 2013 | $35,000 | 12 | ||||
| EMS One Spring Season | Mar 18 – Apr 21, 2013 | $35,000 | 16 | ||||
| ESL Major Series Season 6 | Mar 01 – Jul 14, 2010 | $956 | 24 | ||||
| ESL Major Series Season 5 | Sep 01, 2009 – Feb 21, 2010 | $1,356 | 24 | ||||
| ESL Major Series Season 4 | Apr 01 – Jul 30, 2009 | $2,106 | 16 | ||||
| ESL Major Series Season 3 | Sep 01, 2008 – Mar 10, 2009 | $1,908 | 24 | ||||
| ESL Major Series Season 2 | Apr 01 – Jul 30, 2008 | $2,357 | 24 | ||||
| ESL Major Series Season 1 | Oct 01, 2007 – Mar 10, 2008 | $2,301 | 16 | ||||
Intel Extreme Masters
[edit]| Tournament | Date | Prize Pool | Location | P# | Winner | Runner-up | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IEM V Global Challenge Shanghai | Jul 29 – Aug 01, 2010 | $12,000 | 8 | ||||
| IEM IV Global Challenge Chengdu | Oct 01–03, 2009 | $15,000 | 4 | ||||
European Nations Championship
[edit]| Tournament | Date | Prize Pool | Location | P# | Winner | Runner-up | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Nations Championship 2009 | Jul 08–30, 2009 | 12 | |||||
NVIDIA Dota 2 CIS Cup Series
[edit]| Tournament | Date | Prize Pool | Location | P# | Winner | Runner-up | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NVIDIA Dota 2 CIS Cup Series Grand Final #8 | Sep 03, 2016 | $1,500 | 8 | ||||
| NVIDIA Dota 2 CIS Cup Series Grand Final #7 | Jul 28, 2016 | $1,500 | 8 | ||||
| NVIDIA Dota 2 CIS Cup Series Grand Final #6 | Jul 01, 2016 | $1,500 | 8 | ||||
| NVIDIA Dota 2 CIS Cup Series Grand Final #5 | Apr 27, 2016 | $1,500 | 8 | ||||
| NVIDIA Dota 2 CIS Cup Series Grand Final #4 | Mar 11, 2016 | $1,500 | 8 | ||||
| NVIDIA Dota 2 CIS Cup Series Grand Final #3 | Feb 02, 2016 | $1,500 | 8 | ||||
| NVIDIA Dota 2 CIS Cup Series Grand Final #2 | Nov 28, 2015 | $1,500 | 8 | ||||
| NVIDIA Dota 2 CIS Cup Series Grand Final #1 | Oct 17, 2015 | $1,500 | 8 | ||||
Gallery
[edit]Logos
[edit]- Logo prior to 2019.
References
[edit]- ↑ ESL FACEIT Group LinkedIn
- ↑ "DreamHack and ESL merge under ESL Gaming". Esports Insider. 2022-09-30.
- ↑ "ESL and DreamHack merge to shape future of esports and gaming, globally.". ESL Gaming. 2020-09-30.
- ↑ "ESL Gaming and FACEIT merge, companies bought by Saudi-backed group for $1.5bn". Esports Insider. 2022-01-24.
- ↑ "ESL and FACEIT merge to create the world's leading competitive gaming platform". ESL FACEIT Group. 2022-01-24.
- ↑ "An update on the ESL National Championships". ESL Gaming. 2023-09-15.