All-Women CS2 Pro League ESL Impact to Shut Down After Upcoming Finals

All-Women CS2 Pro League ESL Impact to Shut Down After Upcoming Finals

The ESL Impact circuit, a Counter-Strike 2 league exclusively for women, will suspend operations after the conclusion of its eighth season in November 2025.

In an announcement on X (formerly Twitter), the league stated:

“While ESL Impact has succeeded in its mission to raise the profile of women’s Counter-Strike, despite significant investment, the current economic model is simply not sustainable.”

“Our commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive esports ecosystem remains a core value for EFG, and we will continue to support the community. … We want to thank all the players, teams, and fans for your dedication and for everything ESL Impact has accomplished.”

Background & Challenges Faced

Since its inception in 2022, ESL Impact has sought to offer women a dedicated competitive platform in Counter-Strike. Despite its success in creating visibility and professional opportunities, the league has faced several challenges over the years.

In 2024, the Katowice tournament — one of the league’s premier offline events — was canceled. Heading into 2025, several organizations withdrew from the circuit or reduced their involvement. ESL also scaled back certain regions, removing Finals paths in Asia and Oceania in an effort to cut costs.

Even with substantial backing, including a $300,000 prize pool for 2025, ESL cited financial unsustainability as the key reason for the shutdown. The move is considered a major blow to the women’s Counter-Strike ecosystem, as few large-scale organizers appear ready to step in to fill the gap.

Reactions from Players, Teams, and Community

From Players & Captains

Ksenia “vilga” Kluenkova, captain of Ninjas in Pyjamas Impact, expressed deep disappointment:

“This departure leaves a gap that cannot be overstated. With no active tournament organisers, our scene risks losing the very platform that keeps competition alive. Players need tournaments not only to showcase their skill, but to grow, connect, and inspire future generations.”

“We want to express our gratitude to ESL Impact. At the same time, we call upon others — organisations and partners — to step forward and invest in this community.”

Karijna “kaahSENSEI” Takahashi of FURIA fe described the decision as heartbreaking:

“ESL Impact was the main tournament that every team kept playing year after year with a dream, but the dream is still alive and we will not give up. To anyone who plays ESL Impact, don’t give up — this is not the end.”

Lucy “empathy” Verkaik, captain of Shimmer (the reigning ESL Impact North America champion), voiced hope that Valve might step in to support the women’s CS2 scene.

Katarína Vašková of Imperial Valkyries added that ESL cannot be the only entity driving women’s Counter-Strike forward, urging the creation of safer and more sustainable competitive spaces.

From Teams & Organizations

MIBR, FlyQuest Red, and Imperial Valkyries released a joint statement:

“The coming shutdown is a heavy blow to the thousands of athletes, teams, fans, and everyone who believes in a more inclusive esports ecosystem. Together we reaffirm our commitment to do everything we can to keep women’s Counter-Strike alive and thriving worldwide.”

FlyQuest Red expressed interest in collaborating with other teams to design new competitive structures after Impact’s closure.

FURIA, winners of Season 7, echoed this sentiment, with co-CEO Jaime Pádua calling on other tournament operators and brands to fill the space left behind.

From the Broader Community

The announcement sparked strong reactions online. On Reddit, many users discussed the sustainability and importance of women-only leagues:

“The goal is really to increase the number of women that play. The Impact league was one way to increase visibility and normalize the fact that women can play the game too.”

Others debated whether separate women’s tournaments remain the best way forward or whether mixed-gender leagues should take their place.

What’s Next for Women’s CS?

With ESL Impact’s end, the future of dedicated women’s Counter-Strike competition is uncertain. So far, no major organizer has committed to launching a replacement league of similar scale.

However, teams and organizations may collaborate to create grassroots or regional circuits, and several are already exploring ways to “keep women’s CS alive.”

There is also speculation that Valve could offer structural or financial support to integrate women-focused events into its broader competitive ecosystem, though no official statement has been made. Smaller women-inclusive tournaments such as Elite FE or Athena Cup may also rise in prominence to fill the void.

Conclusion

While ESL Impact achieved remarkable progress in raising the profile of women in Counter-Strike 2, its closure underscores the economic fragility of such initiatives. The community now faces the challenge of preserving momentum, sustaining competitive opportunities, and inspiring stakeholders to invest in a more inclusive and resilient future for women’s esports.