With the BLAST Premier World Finals finishing last weekend, a lot of fans are turning their attention to the coming year and the CS:GO 2023 tournament schedule. As one of the most popular games in the world, there’s a lot in store for CS fans.
The CS:GO tournament calendar is split between three major organizers: ESL, Intel Extreme Masters and BLAST. They share responsibility for planning and running the pro leagues, Majors and that all important World Final.
ESL Pro League Season 17 & 18
ESL Pro Leagues will play a really important role in the CS:GO 2023 tournament schedule. Not only are there some competitive prize funds on offer but the winner of each season earns a direct seed into the Major.
As one of the biggest leagues in the world, fans will be tuning in to see how their favorite team measures up against the others. The top 8 teams from the group stage will advance to the playoffs. That means increased chances of qualifications to Cologne!
The CS:GO 2023 tournament schedule really hots up later in the year. With the second season of the year, the competition will be trying to make their presence known heading into World Finals territory.
Season 17
Dates: March 1st – April 2nd 2023
Teams: 24
Total prize pool: $835,000 USD
Qualifies to: IEM Cologne 2023
Season 18
Dates: August 15th – September 24th
Teams: 24
Total prize pool: $835,000 USD
Qualifies to: IEM Katowice 2024
IEM Events – Katowice, Dallas & Cologne
Every year, three international Majors take place across the CS:GO 2023 tournament schedule. IEM has long standing relationships with Katowice and Cologne so 2 of the Majors usually take place in these cities. The dates have already been confirmed for January, May and August this year but fans will have to wait and see which teams will be joining them!
All of these events across the whole year are leading to one: the Worlds Finals. Teams that make it there, whether by direct qualification or through invitation due to their world standing, earn bragging rights of being the best in the world.
The CS:GO pro scene has been a little predictable in the last few years with the same teams making it far in the tournaments. However, things have been shaken up in 2022 and top teams such as NaVi have been knocked off their pedestal. Perhaps 2023 is the year for more surprises!
IEM Katowice 2023
Dates: January 31st – February 12th
Teams: 24
Total prize pool: $1,000,000 USD
Qualifies to: IEM Cologne 2023
IEM Dallas 2023
Dates: May 29th – June 4th
Teams: 16
Total prize pool: $250,000 USD
Qualifies to: IEM Cologne 2023
IEM Cologne 2023
Dates: July 25th – August 6th
Teams: 24
Total prize pool: $1,000,000 USD
Qualifies to: IEM Katowice 2024
BLAST Premiers – nothing yet in the CS:GO 2023 tournament schedule
There have not yet been any official announcements about BLAST Premier events for the CS:GO 2023 tournament schedule. Fear not though, they’re on the way! According to BLAST’s official blog, they’re in talks with a number of potential host cities.
There has also been speculation that Valve should run more international tournaments. Or taking any kind of active role in the pro leagues of one of their most popular games. However, with nothing on the cards just yet, fans will have to make do with the numerous tournaments already scheduled!
