ESL Pro League Season 24 in Katowice: 1xBet supports 9z Team

The esports community is turning its focus to Poland this October. Katowice, a city with a legacy built on events like EMS One 2014-2015 and the 2019 Major, is set to host the ESL Pro League Season 24. This competition features 16 of the world's most prestigious organizations battling in a full-scale LAN format. A major highlight is the participation of 9z Team from South America, which has steadily climbed the global ranks.

The team is heavily supported by its official main partner, 1xBet. This collaboration illustrates the deep integration between major betting operators and professional esports. For 9z, participating in Katowice is the result of consistent performance, having secured their spot via the Global VRS Invite system, which utilizes Valve's official rankings. After winning the XSE Pro League 2026 in Guangzhou and reaching the top eight at the IEM Cologne Major, the roster is considered a serious contender against the established elite.

Numbers and facts

The tournament boasts one of the most significant prize pools on the current schedule, totaling $1,000,000. This amount is structured into two categories: a $300,000 player share and a $700,000 club share. The competition is divided into two phases. The group stage, running from October 3 to 7, uses the Swiss system with best-of-three (Bo3) matches. Only the top eight teams will advance to the knockout stages.

The decisive playoff phase, known as the Arena Stage, will be held from October 9 to 11 at the legendary Spodek Arena. This stage brings back the unique energy of a live crowd. The grand final on October 11 will be played in a best-of-five (Bo5) format. Confirmed participants include global powerhouses such as Team Spirit, Team Falcons, MOUZ, Team Vitality, Natus Vincere, G2, FURIA, and Aurora. For 9z, this environment provides the perfect platform to further establish their position in the global CS ecosystem.

Background

ESL Pro League Season 24 sets new industry standards by returning fully to an offline format. This means all 16 teams will be physically present in Katowice. The return to the Spodek Arena is highly anticipated by fans and experts alike, as the city is recognized as one of the birthplaces of modern esports. For partner 1xBet, this represents a strategic alignment. The bookmaker integrates its brand deeply into the 9z team environment, generating massive reach during international LAN events.

Why it matters for German players

For esports enthusiasts in Germany, the legal situation is specific. While the Katowice event makes global headlines, betting on esports in Germany is strictly regulated. Under the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021), esports is not broadly classified as a traditional sport. Consequently, betting on Counter-Strike 2 at operators licensed by the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL) is often limited or unavailable. German customers must also adhere to the cross-operator deposit limit of 1,000 euros per month, monitored via the LUGAS system. Furthermore, a 1-euro stake limit per spin for slots and similar restrictions serve as player protection measures. Betting with unlicensed providers involves legal risks and lacks the safeguards provided by domestic regulation.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

German casinos and betting sites on the GGL whitelist face stiff competition from international giants like 1xBet, which engage in aggressive esports sponsoring. Since 1xBet does not hold a German license for the local market, German players cannot legally use their services. For licensed German operators, this means they must focus on transparency and security, even if they are at a regulatory disadvantage regarding esports marketing. Compliance with player protection guidelines remains the most important criterion for legal operations in Germany.