Today, we’re writing to share an important update regarding the future of the ESL Pro Tour (EPT). After an incredible journey since its inception in 2020, the ESL Pro Tour for StarCraft II will not continue in 2025 and beyond.
Reaching this decision has been exceptionally difficult for us. Over the years, we’ve had the privilege of hosting iconic events like the IEM Katowice World Championships, DreamHack Masters, ESL Masters, and ESL Opens, collaborating closely with players, fans, and community members to celebrate this iconic game. However, as the industry evolves, maintaining the full-scale circuit envisioned for the EPT has become increasingly challenging.
Nevertheless, there are still great StarCraft II esports moments to look forward to in 2025. As you might have already seen, StarCraft II is making its return to the Esports World Cup 2025, where a new World Champion will be crowned this summer in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Find out more on the official social media channels of the Esports World Cup.
Thank you to our players, talent, partners, and most importantly, the fans: you’ve made the EPT an unforgettable journey. The energy you bring to every match and every event is what makes StarCraft II truly special.
Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey.
With gratitude, The ESL Team
A Word from Michal “Carmac” Blicharz, VP of Product Development, ESL "I have spent over half a decade working actively on StarCraft II, and years more on following it from the sidelines. Back in 2010 it was this game that ushered in a new golden age for esports, and none of the big events we know today would be there if it wasn’t for StarCraft.
We ran the first ever international SC2 tournament, and operated the last EPT event, with nearly 15 years in between. We broke viewership records, filled venues we previously thought unfillable and we innovated more than ever before.
The opportunity to work on this game has given me tremendous learning possibilities, opened up interactions with a number of amazing people that I cannot count, and allowed me to be part of and interact with this wonderful community and its creators and curators at Blizzard.
I am not an RTS-native, but I fell in love with the game and its community. A massive thank you for all the moments that we have shared together. I am glad we were part of this ride."
A Word from Shaun “Apollo” Clark, VP of Game Ecosystems, ESL "Over the last 15 years, StarCraft has been more than a game for me. It has provided me with a career, close friends, and many memories that I'll cherish forever. There is no amount of giving back I could do in return for what I've received.
There are many who care deeply about SC2 at EFG, and it has not been an easy journey to arrive at the decision taken today. Thank you all for the years of continued passion and dedication to the game and all that you've given to us."
A Word from Oleksii “Alex007” Trushliakov, Senior Product Manager, ESL "This announcement is very difficult and very personal to me. I have been with StarCraft II esports since day 1, serving in roles such as tournament admin, journalist, commentator, project manager, content creator, and probably a few others - and I had the incredible honor of shaping the pinnacle of esports StarCraft over the past few years, working with the most passionate and talented team I have ever met.
During the darkest days for my compatriots, I had the chance to witness incredibly passionate crowds in Atlanta and Dallas, the warmest welcome from the old-school fans in Jönköping and Katowice, the largest prize ever in the history of StarCraft won by Clem, who I still remember as a little child attending his first major event - and Oliveira with Smix on the IEM stage, both in tears, creating what feels to me like the most magical moment in the history of esports.
None of this would be possible without you - every StarCraft fan who is reading this. Your love for the game is what brought these moments to life, and I am incredibly grateful to have been able to share these experiences with you. Thank you for being with us - and let's carry on with our passion for the game we all love."
The farewell video on youtube was posted by esl on 19th of Dec and was hidden till today’s publication. So the decision was made earlier than that.
One may wonder why it took extra 3 month to announce it. Is there a chance another company would pick SC2 circuit going forward? If not then what was the reason of such a late announcement…
With esl being gone, what crank said is seemingly coming true, with scene only extending for few months and no future in sight and risk of repeating the past 6months of limbo once again as soon as Saudi ewc ends.
On April 05 2025 01:52 jinjin5000 wrote: With esl being gone, what crank said is seemingly coming true, with scene only extending for few months and no future in sight and risk of repeating the past 6months of limbo once again as soon as Saudi ewc ends.
Not really a "limbo", we now know that there will be no ESL/EWC tournament for atleast a year. So either the scene fills the void (then we have something) or it doesn't then we have nothing (and most certainly not an EWC next year). It was the unclarity that was so unsettling the past couple of months
On April 05 2025 01:52 jinjin5000 wrote: With esl being gone, what crank said is seemingly coming true, with scene only extending for few months and no future in sight and risk of repeating the past 6months of limbo once again as soon as Saudi ewc ends.
Not really a "limbo", we now know that there will be no ESL/EWC tournament for atleast a year. So either the scene fills the void (then we have something) or it doesn't then we have nothing (and most certainly not an EWC next year). It was the unclarity that was so unsettling the past couple of months
Time to see what kind of legs SC2 has as a 'normal' competitive esport, like War3, fighting games, and all the other scenes that aren't heavily bankrolled by a big company (well, some fighting games have become esports-ified, but I digress...).
Not that surprising. But sad nontheless. Still the best game I have ever played. And I will still play it as long as I can. Hopefully there will still be community efforts that brings on smaller events somewhat regularly.
RIP. Was there from the start. Some great times we've had. Where did the time ever go? Felt like yesterday and like a different lifetime at the same time. Thanks for the memories.
On April 05 2025 03:17 SharkStarcraft wrote: RIP. Was there from the start. Some great times we've had. Where did the time ever go? Felt like yesterday and like a different lifetime at the same time. Thanks for the memories.
Yeah, I still recall watching Idra live at IEM Hannover in 2010, shortly after the release of SC2. Everything about SC2 felt so fresh and vibrant. Incredible it's been 15 years.
On April 05 2025 01:52 jinjin5000 wrote: With esl being gone, what crank said is seemingly coming true, with scene only extending for few months and no future in sight and risk of repeating the past 6months of limbo once again as soon as Saudi ewc ends.
Not really a "limbo", we now know that there will be no ESL/EWC tournament for atleast a year. So either the scene fills the void (then we have something) or it doesn't then we have nothing (and most certainly not an EWC next year). It was the unclarity that was so unsettling the past couple of months
Time to see what kind of legs SC2 has as a 'normal' competitive esport, like War3, fighting games, and all the other scenes that aren't heavily bankrolled by a big company (well, some fighting games have become esports-ified, but I digress...).
Obviously ESL/Blizzard can never be replaced, but I think if we get 3-4 more offline tournaments like BGE/HSC a year we can still have a nice little scene. Not the same as the glory days, but still fun to follow.
Even that might be too much to hope for though, the next few weeks will be telling in that regard - if orgs exist that are willing to put on smaller LANS(big if) they would probably be in a holding pattern up until now.
On April 05 2025 01:52 jinjin5000 wrote: With esl being gone, what crank said is seemingly coming true, with scene only extending for few months and no future in sight and risk of repeating the past 6months of limbo once again as soon as Saudi ewc ends.
Not really a "limbo", we now know that there will be no ESL/EWC tournament for atleast a year. So either the scene fills the void (then we have something) or it doesn't then we have nothing (and most certainly not an EWC next year). It was the unclarity that was so unsettling the past couple of months
Time to see what kind of legs SC2 has as a 'normal' competitive esport, like War3, fighting games, and all the other scenes that aren't heavily bankrolled by a big company (well, some fighting games have become esports-ified, but I digress...).
Obviously ESL/Blizzard can never be replaced, but I think if we get 3-4 more offline tournaments like BGE/HSC a year we can still have a nice little scene. Not the same as the glory days, but still fun to follow.
Even that might be too much to hope for though, the next few weeks will be telling in that regard - if orgs exist that are willing to put on smaller LANS(big if) they would probably be in a holding pattern up until now.
It would be great if we found a way to centralize crowd funding. A place that says, "are you a fan of SC2 esports and want them to continue? Donate to THIS patreon." rather than having 15 different places you have to donate to.
On April 05 2025 01:52 jinjin5000 wrote: With esl being gone, what crank said is seemingly coming true, with scene only extending for few months and no future in sight and risk of repeating the past 6months of limbo once again as soon as Saudi ewc ends.
Not really a "limbo", we now know that there will be no ESL/EWC tournament for atleast a year. So either the scene fills the void (then we have something) or it doesn't then we have nothing (and most certainly not an EWC next year). It was the unclarity that was so unsettling the past couple of months
Time to see what kind of legs SC2 has as a 'normal' competitive esport, like War3, fighting games, and all the other scenes that aren't heavily bankrolled by a big company (well, some fighting games have become esports-ified, but I digress...).
Obviously ESL/Blizzard can never be replaced, but I think if we get 3-4 more offline tournaments like BGE/HSC a year we can still have a nice little scene. Not the same as the glory days, but still fun to follow.
Even that might be too much to hope for though, the next few weeks will be telling in that regard - if orgs exist that are willing to put on smaller LANS(big if) they would probably be in a holding pattern up until now.
It would be great if we found a way to centralize crowd funding. A place that says, "are you a fan of SC2 esports and want them to continue? Donate to THIS patreon." rather than having 15 different places you have to donate to.
Yes, absolutely. I had the same thought the other day.
Actually, too many places to donate to are one of the reasons why I haven't donated much yet. I want to support HSC, but also PigSty, and also Wardi, and so on. A central SC2 crowdsourcing platform would be great.
On April 05 2025 01:52 jinjin5000 wrote: With esl being gone, what crank said is seemingly coming true, with scene only extending for few months and no future in sight and risk of repeating the past 6months of limbo once again as soon as Saudi ewc ends.
Not really a "limbo", we now know that there will be no ESL/EWC tournament for atleast a year. So either the scene fills the void (then we have something) or it doesn't then we have nothing (and most certainly not an EWC next year). It was the unclarity that was so unsettling the past couple of months
Time to see what kind of legs SC2 has as a 'normal' competitive esport, like War3, fighting games, and all the other scenes that aren't heavily bankrolled by a big company (well, some fighting games have become esports-ified, but I digress...).
Obviously ESL/Blizzard can never be replaced, but I think if we get 3-4 more offline tournaments like BGE/HSC a year we can still have a nice little scene. Not the same as the glory days, but still fun to follow.
Even that might be too much to hope for though, the next few weeks will be telling in that regard - if orgs exist that are willing to put on smaller LANS(big if) they would probably be in a holding pattern up until now.
It would be great if we found a way to centralize crowd funding. A place that says, "are you a fan of SC2 esports and want them to continue? Donate to THIS patreon." rather than having 15 different places you have to donate to.
Yes, absolutely. I had the same thought the other day.
Actually, too many places to donate to are one of the reasons why I haven't donated much yet. I want to support HSC, but also PigSty, and also Wardi, and so on. A central SC2 crowdsourcing platform would be great.
Well, the main problem with this issue is "who decides how the money is spent?" It's just unrealistic for a bunch of independent streamers/organizers to work out some theoretically ideal way to split a joint crowdfunding pot. And it's not just because of (understandable self-interest)—it's just too damned complicated.
I think it's much more realistic for 2-4 streamers to temporarily collaborate and organize $20-30k size online events (or whatever sum it takes to get Serral to play), and crowdfund on a per-tournament basis.
EPT
