Opening matchups confirmed for ESL Pro League Season 23 Stage 2

Opening matchups confirmed for ESL Pro League Season 23 Stage 2

The matchups for the opening round of Stage 2 at ESL Pro League Season 23 have officially been determined following the conclusion of the first stage of the competition. Sixteen teams will now battle in the second phase of the tournament for a chance to secure one of eight playoff spots and advance to the LAN finals. 

Stage 2 features a mix of invited top-tier teams and squads that successfully progressed from Stage 1. Eight teams — including FURIA, MOUZ, Spirit, Natus Vincere, FaZe, Aurora, The MongolZ, and B8 — entered the tournament directly in this phase. They are joined by the eight best-performing teams from Stage 1, forming a 16-team field competing in a Swiss-format group stage played entirely online. 

In this stage, all matches are played as best-of-three series. Teams need three wins to advance to the playoffs, while three losses will eliminate them from the event. The top eight squads will then move on to the LAN Finals, where the playoff bracket will begin in the quarterfinals and culminate with a best-of-five grand final. 

Key opening clashes

Several high-profile matchups headline the first round of Stage 2. One of the most notable pairings will see G2 face FaZe, two globally recognized teams that have struggled to maintain consistent form in 2026 so far. G2 managed to reach the playoffs at IEM Katowice earlier in the year but have since produced uneven results across events. FaZe, meanwhile, have found it difficult to gain momentum and have recorded only a handful of series victories this season. 

Another recurring rivalry will continue as FUT take on Astralis. The two teams have faced each other multiple times in recent tournaments, developing a competitive rivalry. Astralis claimed the first encounter by eliminating FUT at IEM Krakow, but FUT have since managed to secure revenge in two subsequent meetings, adding extra intrigue to their next clash. 

Elsewhere, Aurora will meet Legacy in a matchup that carries its own storyline. The teams previously battled in the grand final of PGL Masters Bucharest late last year, where Aurora narrowly secured a 3-2 victory to claim one of the organization’s most significant titles to date. Legacy will now have an opportunity to settle the score on the ESL Pro League stage. 

Full list of opening matches

The first round of Stage 2 will feature the following matchups:

• Natus Vincere vs Monte

• FUT vs Astralis

• Aurora vs Legacy

• Spirit vs 3DMAX

• G2 vs FaZe

• The MongolZ vs paiN

• MOUZ vs HEROIC

• FURIA vs B8

With a mix of elite contenders and rising teams emerging from Stage 1, the opening day promises several compelling storylines and potential upsets. The Swiss format also ensures that every match carries significant weight, as teams must quickly accumulate wins to stay in contention for the playoffs.

Road to the LAN Finals

Stage 2 represents a crucial step toward the ESL Pro League Season 23 Finals, where the remaining eight teams will compete on LAN for the championship and the largest portion of the event’s $1 million prize pool. Of that total, $185,000 is allocated to Stage 2, while the majority of the prize money will be distributed during the LAN playoffs. 

As the competition progresses, teams will need to demonstrate both consistency and adaptability across multiple best-of-three series. With powerhouse organizations such as Spirit, MOUZ, FURIA, and NAVI entering the fray alongside hungry challengers from Stage 1, Stage 2 is expected to deliver some of the most competitive matches of the tournament so far.