ESL will introduce third-place decider matches at all Tier 1 CS2 events starting with Pro League S22, impacting Valve Regional Standings for Major invites.
ESL introduces third-place deciders for Tier 1 CS2 events
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ESL FACEIT Group have officially introduced third-place decider matches across all Tier 1 and Wildcard Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) tournaments, aligning with recent structural changes to the Valve Regional Standings (VRS). The change will debut at ESL Pro League Season 22, which kicks off on September 27, and will also be featured at Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Chengdu 2025 and IEM Kraków 2026.
The decision comes as Valve eliminates Major Regional Qualifiers (MRQs), placing full emphasis on VRS to determine qualification for the upcoming StarLadder Budapest Major. With every match now carrying significant implications for regional ranking points, ESL has adjusted the format to offer a more competitive and meaningful structure throughout the playoff stage.
Under the updated format, each third-place decider will be played as a best-of-three series and will take place on the same day as the grand final, replacing the traditional showmatch. This change ensures that the battle for bronze is not only entertaining but also impactful in shaping Major invites.
“Teams are now battling for more than just prize money—they’re fighting for their spot at the next Major,” ESL stated in their announcement. “With the landscape evolving and VRS becoming the sole path to the top, third-place matches provide clarity and competition for every placement.”
The move brings ESL in line with fellow tournament organiser PGL, who introduced third-place matches earlier in 2025.
Looking ahead, ESL continues to expand their global CS2 presence. IEM events are scheduled for Brazil, China, and the U.S. in 2026, alongside the newly announced IEM Kraków, which will take over from Katowice as Poland’s flagship event on the circuit. Meanwhile, DreamHack events remain a key entry point for rising talent through their open qualifiers feeding into the ESL Pro League.
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