Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is still one of the most popular esports today, despite the pandemic and restrictions on companies like Valve and ESL to host face-to-face tournaments and events. With millions of players and significant competitions, the game is one of the most well-known esports franchises. It is one factor that keeps CSGO relevant for gamers in 2023. In addition to being the most played game on Steam, it is also one of the most viewed on Twitch as CSGO competitions draw sizable audiences and have widespread viewing.
With concluded events like ESL Challenger, PGL Major Antwerp 2023, and BLAST Premier Spring Finals 2023, the tournaments never stop for the CSGO pro teams as there are more to be held. And one of the anticipated events of this year is the ESL Challenger Valencia which will be held on July 1 – 3, 2023, live at the DreamHack Festival Valencia.
ESL Challenger Valencia 2023 is one of the challenger events in which the main goal of the series of these tournaments is to make low-tier teams from different regions further showcase their skills and talents against other competitors. With this, through challenger events, teams will be able to gain experience and other strategies for making a mark for their organization in the CSGO community.
ESL Pro Tour Structure
In ESL Pro Tour, there are three tiers of competition, and these are Championships, Masters, and Challengers. And Championships, which are held twice a year in sold-out and jampacked venues, are the highest level of CSGO competition. Competing teams go through a difficult qualification procedure to earn the chance to participate in global competition and determine the world champion.
Masters, on the other hand, is where both seasoned teams and Challenger tournament winners participate. And teams who do well in Masters tournaments increase their chances of being invited to a Masters Championship competition, which is held in prominent venues.
Lastly, Challenger tournaments and events give prospective teams or low-tier organizations a chance to compete locally, gain ESL Pro Tour points, and pave the route for teams to enter a Masters tournament. Thus, the creation of ESL Challenger Valencia on which the participating teams have the chance to prove their spot on getting a masters tournament once declared as the champion.
Things You Need to Know More About ESL Challenger Valencia 2023
ESL Challenger Valencia is fast approaching and fans have already bought tickets as the tournament will be live at DreamHack Festival Valencia in Spain. And here are some things that you need to know more about the event:
Format
Group Stage
- Two Groups in Single Elimination (GSL)
- 4 teams make in each group.
- Opening and winning matches are best-of-one.
- Elimination & Decider games are best-of-three.
- Each group’s top two teams progress to the playoffs.
Playoffs
- There will be a single-elimination bracket
- All matches will be played in a Best-of-3 series
- The winning team is eligible to attend the forthcoming ESL Pro League Conference.
Prize Pool and EPT Points Distribution
The 100,000 USD prize pool and the EPT points distribution is seen below:
| Place | USD Distribution | EPT Points | Seed | Team |
| 1st Place | 50,000 USD | 100 | EPL Conference S17 | TBA |
| 2nd Place | 20,000 USD | 80 | TBA | |
| 3rd – 4th Place | 10,000 USD | 40 | TBA | |
| 5th – 6th Place | 3,000 USD | 20 | TBA | |
| 7th – 8th Place | 2,000 USD | 0 | TBA |
Participating Teams
The participating teams for ESL Challenger Valencia 2023 are composed of four (4) direct invites and four (4) winners from the European Qualifier, North American Qualifier, South American Qualifier, and Asian Qualifier.
| No. | Team | Players |
| 1. | FURIA Esports | yuurih, arT, KSCERATO, drop, saffee, guerri |
| 2. | mibr | chelo, exit, Tuurtle, JOTA, brnz4n, bit |
| 3. | Movistar Riders | mopoz, ALEX, DeathZz, SunPayus, dav1g, bladE |
| 4. | Outsiders | Qikert, Jame, FL1T, n0rb3r7, fame, dastan |
| 5. | Sprout | Spiidi, slaxz-, raalz, Staehr, lauNX, BERRY |
| 6. | GODSENT | TACO, latto, b4rtiN, dumau, HEN1, cky |
| 7. | Hummer Esports | zqk, SHOOWTIME, ckzao, delboNi, danoco, Kaos |
| 8. | Rare Atom | advent, kaze, JamYoung, Mercury, Moseyuh, k4Mi |
Schedule
If you already bought tickets for the upcoming ESL Challenger Valencia 2023, might as well ready yourself. DreamHack Festival is one of the best events you could attend as the community comes to life during the immersive gaming experience.
And at the event, you may take part in varsity and amateur gaming competitions, a world-famous BYOC LAN party, a cosplay competition, as well as art exhibits, social activities, live music, and more.
More so, here’s the schedule for the ESL Challenger Valencia 2023:
| Day | Event | Local Time CEST | Time EDT |
| July 1 – Friday | DreamHack Doors Open | 09:00 | 03:00 |
| Group Stage 1st MOTD | 10:30 | 04:30 | |
| Group Stage Last MOTD | 20:30 | 14:30 | |
| July 2 – Saturday | DreamHack Doors Open | 09:00 | 03:00 |
| Group Stage 1st MOTD | 11:00 | 05:00 | |
| Group Stage Last MOTD | 18:00 | 12:00 | |
| July 3 – Sunday | DreamHack Doors Open | 09:00 | 03:00 |
| First Semi Final | 11:00 | 05:00 | |
| Grand Final | 18:00 | 12:00 | |
| Festival Close | 22:00 | 16:00 |
Sponsors
Intel
Intel is one of the biggest sponsors of this event as the company is the driving force behind PC gaming innovation, uniting the sector to make the PC the ideal platform for creation and pleasure. The organization is constantly searching for ways to push its technology to the boundaries in terms of performance, allowing the developer community, promoting new form factors, and utilizing upcoming technologies since they feel that playing video games is best done on a PC.
Republic of Gamers
In addition to consistently supporting CSGO competitions, Asus and Republic of Gamers have been named the Official OEM Partner of the ESL Pro League, ESL Challenger, EPL Conference Season 16, DreamHack Valencia, DreamHack Melbourne, and DreamHack Rotterdam. Both at live events and during broadcast parts, ASUS branding will be present.
1XBET
This sports betting company has been a sponsor for several tournaments not only in CSGO but in other esports. Along with sponsoring well-known teams and competitions, 1XBET also employs a cutting-edge strategy and sets industry standards. In order to provide eSports enthusiasts with the broadest selection of betting options on a variety of well-liked disciplines, 1XBET collaborates with a variety of businesses.
DHL
This is the leading international brand in the logistics sector and has been continually supporting CSGO tournaments and events. DHL has a wide range of logistics services, including domestic and international package delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment options, international express, road, air, and ocean transport, as well as industrial supply chain management, which are offered by the company.
Monster Energy
Monster Energy, is one of the best energy drinks in the esports industry and has been consistent in providing support not only to CSGO tournaments and events but also to other esports. And it is also the industry’s top marketer of energizing beverages. They promote the CSGO scene while refusing to recognize the conventional.
The essence of what its sports, athletes, esports athletes, and artists represent is Monster Energy, a company that values authenticity. It is more than just a beverage; it is a way of life for fans, players, artists, enthusiasts, and athletes.
