ESL Impact League Season 8: Schedule, Format, Teams & How To Watch
The female Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) pro scene has seen remarkable growth over the years, largely driven by the ESL Impact League. Season 8 will be its last, as ESL suspends the circuit due to its unsustainable economic model. The event will conclude the league’s legacy, with an exciting showdown in Stockholm.
This guide will provide you with everything you need to know about ESL Impact League Season 8, including the schedule, teams, viewing options, and ticket information.
ESL Impact League Season 8 Location & Dates
ESL Impact League Season 8 will take place at Stockholmsmässan in Stockholm during DreamHack Stockholm 2025. The tournament runs from November 28–30, 2025.
ESL Impact League Season 8 Schedule & Format
ESL Impact League Season 8 will span two phases. The Group Stage (November 28–29) will happen in Hall B, and the intense Playoffs will take place in Hall A. Eight of the world’s top female CS2 teams will compete in two groups of four in a double-elimination GSL format bracket.
The opening and final games of the Group Stage will be played as a best-of-one series, while elimination and decider matches will be played as best-of-three. The top two teams will advance to the Playoffs (November 30), while the remaining teams will be eliminated.
The Playoffs will follow a single-elimination bracket format, with all matches played in best-of-three series. The winner will be crowned the ESL Impact League Season 8 champion, taking home the lion’s share of the prize pool.
Schedule
This table outlines the full ESL Impact League Season 8 schedule, including each stage, date, and match start times.
| Stage | Date | Time (CET) |
|---|---|---|
| Group Stage — Day 1 | Friday, November 28 | 12:00 PM |
| Group Stage — Day 2 | Saturday, November 29 | 10:00 AM |
| Playoffs — Semifinal + Final | Sunday, November 30 | 10:00 AM |
Note: All match times are listed in Central European Time (CET). Official fixtures and updates are available on the ESL website.
Prize Pool Distribution
The tournament boasts a total prize pool of $223,000. Although the prize money steadily increased, it didn’t encourage much viewership, leading to the eventual suspension of the circuit. Here’s the prize split among the participating teams.
| Place | Prize Money | Club Rewards |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | $50,000 | $25,000 |
| 2nd | $25,000 | $20,000 |
| 3rd- 4th | $13,000 | $13,500 |
| 5th- 6th | $7,000 | $10,000 |
| 7th-8th | $4,000 | $4,000 |
| Total | $123,000 | $100,000 |
Teams Competing At ESL Impact League Season 8
Eight teams will compete in the tournament, each qualified through the ESL Impact League Season 8 qualifiers held online from September 10 to October 26. The top four teams from Europe, along with the top two each from North America and South America, earned their spots in Stockholm.
- NIP Impact (Europe)
- BIG EQUIPA (Europe)
- Imperial Female (Europe)
- Fingers Crossed Fe1 (Europe)
- Sakura Esports2 (North America)
- FlyQuest RED (North America)
- MIBR Female (South America)
- Atrix Esports (South America)
Note: 1 Fingers Crossed Fe acquired Overpeek and will play in their slot. 2 Shimmer has signed with Sakura Esports.
How To Watch ESL Impact League Season 8
You can watch all the ESL Impact League Season 8 matches on ESL’s official YouTube and Twitch channels. If you prefer, you can also catch all the action on the FACEIT Watch website.
Tickets
ESL Impact League is a part of DreamHack, a fusion festival featuring multiple tournaments, music, and LAN games. You can purchase a festival pass for all three days or for specific days via Tixr. This will grant you access to other esports tournaments, such as The Finals Major and OWCS World Finals 2025.
The festival ticket prices range from 269 SEK (approximately $28) to 799 SEK ($79). Counter‑Strike 2 enthusiasts can also get a LAN ticket to participate in DreamHack Knockout Stockholm 2025, where the winner qualifies for the next season of the ESL Pro League.
| Days | Price (Single) | Price (Family) |
|---|---|---|
| Friday | 269 SEK | $28 | 489 SEK | $52 |
| Saturday | 399 SEK | $42 | 749 SEK | $79 |
| Sunday | 348 SEK | $37 | 649 SEK | $68 |
| 3 Days | 799 SEK | $79 | 1399 SEK | $147 |
FAQs
When and where will ESL Impact League Season 8 take place?
ESL Impact League Season 8 will take place at Stockholmsmässan, Stockholm, from November 28 to 30, 2025.
What is the ESL Impact League Season 8 prize pool?
The female-only tournament features a $223,000 prize pool, divided into $123,000 prize money and $100,000 in Club Rewards. The winning team will earn $50,000 in prize money and $25,000 in Club Rewards.
Why is there a need for a women's only league?
According to ESL, a women-only league creates a safe, competitive space for top female CS2 players, encouraging diversity and inclusion in Counter-Strike until mixed-gender teams become standard in the scene.
How can I watch ESL Impact League Season 8?
You can either purchase a ticket to attend the DreamHack festival via Tixr or follow the action live on ESL’s official YouTube and Twitch channels, or on the FACEIT Watch website.
Who are the best female players in CS2?
ANa, the highest-rated player of Imperial Female (formerly Imperial Valkyries), is widely considered the best female CS2 player in the world. With her star performance in ESL Impact League Season 7, bizinha (FURIA Fe) has also shown her dominance in the women’s CS2 scene.
References
- ESL Impact – Season 8 (Pro.ESLGaming)
- Bubzkji on X (X)
- ESL Counter-Strike B channel (YouTube)
- ESLCS on Twitch (Twitch)
- Watch – FACEIT.com (FACEIT)
- DreamHack Stockholm 2025 Tickets (Tixr)
- DreamHack Stockholm 2025 Tickets (Tixr)
