Huge ESL Impact changes: Slots for NA and SA cancelled

There will be huge changes to the ESL Impact circuit in 2024. The organizers have announced an update to the competition calendar, with the ESL Impact Katowice event no longer taking place. In addition, the number of qualifying slots for the LAN Finals has been redistributed, with Europe receiving additional slots at the expense of the Americas and Asia.

According to the organizer, this adjustment to the slot distribution was made due to low participation numbers in certain regions in 2023 and the goal of allowing only the most talented players to participate in high-level competitions. The reduction of final slots from the Americas and Asia means that these regions will be less represented in ESL Impact 2024.

However, this controversial decision has led to some heated discussions in the community, especially as the European teams now have a clear advantage.

What is changing?

For the Season 5 Finals, which will take place in Dallas, South America will have one less qualifying spot than last year. Europe will be able to field four teams, while North America will field two and Asia and South America one team each. In Stockholm, the teams from Asia will have to withdraw completely for the Season 6 Finals, while Europe will be allowed to send five teams.

This is particularly tragic for South American teams, as they have achieved considerable success to date. For example, teams from Brazil have reached the finals of the Impact League Finals several times.

The change also means a significant setback for teams from Asia and Oceania for the second finals event of the year. At the same time, however, the prize money for both tournaments will be increased to 150,000 dollars.

These changes could lead to a shift in the esports competitive landscape, with European teams likely to become more dominant. In the long term, this could affect global development and lead to a concentration of talent in certain regions.

Community wants decision reversed

North and South America will have fewer slots at international events in 2024 and this has caused much outrage in the community.

Various North American players have voiced their criticism of these changes and strongly criticized the ESL. The community hopes that these new rules will be reconsidered and, ideally, reversed. Vanessa “vanessa” Gideon of Evil Geniuses Gold stated that these new rules will set back the growth of the female scene in CS2 by quite a bit: “Damn, you all want NA to die in both scenes, lol. I was a brand new female player competing for the first time through Impact, just like many other teams/players out there now. Most NA teams are busy catching up on skill and experience only to be shut down.”

Cover Credit: ESL | 20230602_Adela-Sznajder_ESL-Impact_00099