ESL Pro League Stage 1 has concluded, with eight teams advancing to Stage 2. Those teams will join the remaining top-ranked sides as the competition moves into its next phase, setting up a fresh push for playoff qualification.
Organisers have finalised the seedings for Stage 2, and the opening matchups are now known following the draw that paired qualified teams against one another for the first round of the next stage.
One of the most talked-about fixtures on paper is G2 versus FaZe. Both organisations carry significant name recognition, but neither roster has produced consistently convincing results in recent weeks. G2 reached the playoffs at Katowice yet have shown signs of inconsistency since that event, while FaZe enter the match with just two series victories recorded so far in 2026, making this an important early test for both sides.
Another recurring pairing is FUT against Astralis. These teams have met several times across recent events; Astralis claimed the initial encounter by eliminating FUT at IEM Krakow, but FUT have taken revenge in subsequent meetings, leaving the rivalry finely balanced heading into Stage 2.
Legacy will be out to settle the score when they face Aurora. The two sides contested a best-of-five final at PGL Masters Bucharest late last year, a tightly fought series that ended 3-2 in Aurora's favour as they captured their first notable trophy. Legacy will be eager to reverse that result on this occasion.
Beyond those headline encounters, the Stage 2 opener features several other matchups that promise competitive games as teams look to establish momentum early in the stage.
Schedule for 06/03/2026 — opening matches and times:
11:30 — Natus Vincere vs Monte
11:30 — FUT vs Astralis
14:00 — Spirit vs 3DMAX
14:00 — Aurora vs Legacy
16:30 — G2 vs FaZe
16:30 — The MongolZ vs paiN
19:00 — MOUZ vs HEROIC
19:00 — FURIA vs B8
Each of these first-round fixtures will shape the early narrative of Stage 2, with teams aiming to secure advantageous positions as the event progresses toward the playoff brackets.