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ESL Sets Out Its 2028 CS2 Plans

Esports powerhouse ESL has unveiled its 2028 Counter-Strike 2 event calendar, confirming six Tier-One tournaments across the year as part of the ESL Pro Tour.

The schedule runs from January to late October, marking another busy competitive year for professional CS2. However, fans quickly noticed two key details: there’s no sign of a Dallas event, and the total number of Tier-One tournaments has dropped from seven to six, compared to recent years like 2025 and 2026.

While ESL has not yet confirmed the locations or venues, the organiser hinted that additional Tier-One tournaments could still be announced later, leaving room for expansion or surprises.

Full ESL Pro Tour 2028 Schedule

Here’s the confirmed 2028 ESL Pro Tour lineup so far:

  • Event 1: January 26 – February 6
  • Event 2: March 3 – 19
  • Event 3: April 10 – 16
  • Event 4: August 2 – 13
  • Event 5: September 16 – October 1
  • Event 6: October 23 – 29

This official reveal makes ESL the first tournament organiser to publish its 2028 plans, in line with Valve’s updated Tournament Operation Requirements, which mandate that any events after December 2026 be announced at least 22 months in advance.

Fans React: No Dallas, No Problem — Or Is It?

The Counter-Strike community didn’t take long to notice what’s missing. Many fans pointed out that the usual IEM USA slot, often in Dallas, has vanished from the schedule.

Esports analyst Graham Pitt (@messioso) commented on X:

This sparked a wave of speculation. Some believe ESL could be holding space for another Major in the United States, while others think the missing slot could signal broader structural changes within ESL FACEIT Group, especially after recent layoffs.

Others were less enthusiastic, as one fan wrote

“Please no more USA Major. We have no players from the region and the schedule is literally the worst. China time-wise is so much better!”

The debate expanded quickly, touching on time zone fairness, sponsorship influence, and even political undertones about potential host locations. Some fans defended the U.S. as a venue due to “sponsor money and central time zone convenience,” while others pushed for Asia or Europe to take a larger share of the circuit.

That uncertainty leaves room for potential late additions, particularly if ESL plans to bid for a Valve Major in 2028.

ESL’s Ongoing Strategy

Despite the chatter, ESL’s 2028 calendar continues its structured approach to building a predictable global circuit for Counter-Strike 2. Earlier announcements revealed that IEM Cologne 2026 will host the first Major of that year, marking a decade since the last Cologne Major, and that Katowice will host the ESL Pro League Season 24 Finals in 2026.

ESL’s proactive scheduling and early disclosures reflect a long-term focus on transparency with teams and fans alike, even if it fuels speculation in the process.

What’s Next for the CS2 Circuit

With six events confirmed and one empty calendar slot, fans are already guessing where ESL’s next move will land. Whether it’s a return to Dallas, a new Asian host city, or an EWC collaboration, 2028 is shaping up to be another defining year for Counter-Strike 2.

Until then, fans can only watch and speculate as ESL fine-tunes what could be its most globally balanced season yet.