ESL has announced the addition of the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region to its ESL Challenger League roadmap starting next year. The initiative will increase the prize pool to US$20,000 per season, and elevate the region by providing a clear path to the next ESL Pro League.
ESL Challenger League, formerly known as ESEA Premier, will serve as a direct pathway to ESL Pro League by giving a berth in the EPL Conference beginning in ESEA Season 40 and EPL Season 16. The league will provide a US$20,000 prize pool every season and will accommodate players to compete on available servers in Singapore, Taipei, Hong Kong, Seoul, Guam, and Tokyo.
For Season 40 moving to Season 41, teams will qualify to the ESL Challenger League exclusively through the ESEA Asia-Pacific Open division, similar to how Australia/New Zealand Premier has historically operated. With the increase in prize money, both the Challenger League and Open division in Asia-Pacific will now have an entry fee consistent with other regions.
For Season 40, teams can qualify in one of three ways:
- Two teams will be invited via the ESL World Ranking
- The top eight teams from ESEA Open Season 39 will qualify in to ESL Challenger League based on the playoff standings
- Another six teams will qualify via the following set of qualifiers below
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Each qualifier will be a best of one single elimination bracket. The qualifying match will be a best of three. The top two teams from each qualifier will advance to ESL Challenger League for Season 40 in Asia-Pacific. Players will need an ESEA Premium membership to participate, just as they will do during the upcoming Season 40.
- Qualifier #1 – 17th/18th of January
- Qualifier #2 – 19th/20th of January
- Qualifier #3 – 22nd/23rd of January
Moving forward, teams will exclusively qualify for ESL Challenger League via the ESEA Asia-Pacific Open division for Season 40 into Season 41. ESL noted that further registration information would be revealed shortly.
The top eight teams from ESEA Season 39 Open are as follows:
| ?? Do Not Disturb La | ?? Moon Esports |
| ?? CyberX KHV | ? Redemptions |
| ?? Born in the East | ?? ARAVT |
| ? ARTiSAN Esports | ?? GR Gaming |
The remaining eight spots in ESL Challenger League Season 40 APAC will be filled by teams from the following list:
| ESL World Ranking #1 | ESL Challenger League Season 40 Open Qualifier #2 |
| ESL World Ranking #2 | ESL Challenger League Season 40 Open Qualifier #2 |
| ESL Challenger League Season 40 Open Qualifier #1 | ESL Challenger League Season 40 Open Qualifier #3 |
| ESL Challenger League Season 40 Open Qualifier #1 | ESL Challenger League Season 40 Open Qualifier #3 |
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Cover photo courtesy of ESL
