EPT![[image loading]](/staff/Waxangel/EPT/esm734.jpg)
ESL has announced the first set of major details regarding the 2023/24 ESL Pro Tour.
The most impactful change is Blizzard ceasing its funding of the EPT, leading to a significant reduction in prize money. The upcoming 2023/24 season will pay out "at least" $663,600 in total prize money, with ESL leaving the door open for the possibility of a later prize pool increase. In comparison, approximately $1,340,000* was paid out in 2022/23.
ESL confirmed that two seasons of ESL Masters—a rebrand of the previous DreamHack Masters—will be held in the Summer and Winter:
ESL StarCraft II Masters Summer:
- Online Regionals on May 2 - 21, 2023
- Finals to take place live at DreamHack Summer in Jönköping, Sweden, on June 16-18, 2023
- Featuring a $200,000 total prize pool
ESL StarCraft II Masters Winter:
- Online Regionals on October 31 - November 19, 2023
- Finals to take place live at DreamHack Atlanta in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, on December 15-17, 2023
- Featuring a $200,000 total prize pool
ESL announced its intent to introduce new tournament formats for both the online qualifiers and live finals, but did not reveal the specifics at this time.
ESL did announce a major shake-up in regional qualification. Latin America and North America will be merged into a single "Americas" region, while the [China], [Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, and Japan], and the [Oceania and Rest of Asia] will be merged into a single "Asia" region.
While ESL confirmed $200,000 in total prize money for the EPT Championship (world championship), it was not confirmed to be held again at IEM Katowice. Regarding the location, ESL only stated "Stay tuned as more details about the EPT 23/24 Championship, including its location, will be announced later this year - however, the prize pool level of at least $200.000 is guaranteed!"
ESL included a short Q&A section to address a number of topics:
Why did you merge the smaller regions?
We feel that the level of competition in previous season’s regions was too different from each other. The main goal of our change is to make sure we have a strong competition in every regional tournament where players are able to compete in a good environment and produce a great show for our esports fans.
Why did you change the “DreamHack Masters” to “ESL Masters”?
With DreamHack being a festival brand and ESL being focused on esports competitions, we would like to better highlight the nature of our tournament. With the upcoming format changes, ESL Masters is going to be focused on the highest level of StarCraft II esports - but the offline events will still be part of DreamHack festivals so we hope to see you there!
What are the format changes for ESL Masters events?
Our goal is to focus more on the highest level of competition and we are going to implement new tournament formats for both Regionals and offline Finals. More details about the ESL Masters format will be announced on our website soon.
Will you have talents onsite this year for both Summer and Winter events?
We pay very close attention to the feedback from the community and know that having no talents onsite in Atlanta was really disappointing for a lot of our fans. Our current plan is to bring the talent lineup to both Masters events this year.
What is the total prize money for EPT 23/24 season?
The total prize pool is going to be at least $663.600 which includes:
Stay tuned as more details about the EPT 23/24 Championship, including its location, will be announced later this year - however, the prize pool level of at least $200.000 is guaranteed!
What about GSL, will it continue?
Yes, GSL continues as well - you can find all details of GSL 2023 plans via AfreecaTV announcement.
Are there any 3rd party events like HSC or TSL in the upcoming season of EPT SC2?
We are still happy to include the 3rd party tournaments into the EPT circuit - and we definitely hope to see HomeStory Cup, TeamLiquid StarLeague and other community events in the lineup for this season! There are no 3rd party tournament-related announcements to be made from our side at this point though.
Will there be new maps or balance patches?
We will continue supporting the SC2 esports scene with some of the most talented progamers and passionate fans in the whole esports world. Our current plan is also to continue implementing the tournament map pool updates and balance changes from Blizzard Entertainment.
We feel that the level of competition in previous season’s regions was too different from each other. The main goal of our change is to make sure we have a strong competition in every regional tournament where players are able to compete in a good environment and produce a great show for our esports fans.
Why did you change the “DreamHack Masters” to “ESL Masters”?
With DreamHack being a festival brand and ESL being focused on esports competitions, we would like to better highlight the nature of our tournament. With the upcoming format changes, ESL Masters is going to be focused on the highest level of StarCraft II esports - but the offline events will still be part of DreamHack festivals so we hope to see you there!
What are the format changes for ESL Masters events?
Our goal is to focus more on the highest level of competition and we are going to implement new tournament formats for both Regionals and offline Finals. More details about the ESL Masters format will be announced on our website soon.
Will you have talents onsite this year for both Summer and Winter events?
We pay very close attention to the feedback from the community and know that having no talents onsite in Atlanta was really disappointing for a lot of our fans. Our current plan is to bring the talent lineup to both Masters events this year.
What is the total prize money for EPT 23/24 season?
The total prize pool is going to be at least $663.600 which includes:
- $200.000 for the Summer season
- $200.000 for the Winter season
- $63.600 for 53 weekly Open Cups
- At least $200.000 for the EPT Championship to be announced later this year
Stay tuned as more details about the EPT 23/24 Championship, including its location, will be announced later this year - however, the prize pool level of at least $200.000 is guaranteed!
What about GSL, will it continue?
Yes, GSL continues as well - you can find all details of GSL 2023 plans via AfreecaTV announcement.
Are there any 3rd party events like HSC or TSL in the upcoming season of EPT SC2?
We are still happy to include the 3rd party tournaments into the EPT circuit - and we definitely hope to see HomeStory Cup, TeamLiquid StarLeague and other community events in the lineup for this season! There are no 3rd party tournament-related announcements to be made from our side at this point though.
Will there be new maps or balance patches?
We will continue supporting the SC2 esports scene with some of the most talented progamers and passionate fans in the whole esports world. Our current plan is also to continue implementing the tournament map pool updates and balance changes from Blizzard Entertainment.
Read the full ESL announcement and Q&A on ESL's official website.
*[The amount is not exact because it's unclear which year off-season ESL Weekly cups belonged to.]
