The Elisa Masters Espoo tournament returns to Finland again this fall — and for local esports fans, this is not just news, but a real reason to wait. For the third time in a row, the strongest players of the country and the region will come together to give the audience five days of intense matches and vivid emotions. The competition will be held from October 16 to October 20, 2024 at a well—known venue – Espoo Metro Arena. According to the organizers, the current tournament promises to be the most spectacular in the history of the Elisa Masters: higher level of teams, tougher competition and more drive on stage.
In a relatively short time, Elisa Masters has managed to grow into Finland’s main annual esports event. The tournament confidently gathers full stands and a huge online audience. So, in 2023, it was visited by more than 20,000 spectators, and millions of fans around the world followed the matches via streams. The atmosphere inside the arena is special: the noise of the stands, the emotions on the players’ faces, the cries of joy after successful rounds, and the tense silence at crucial moments.
This year, Elisa Masters Espoo will once again delight fans with a set of iconic disciplines. The program includes League of Legends, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Dota 2, without which it is difficult to imagine great esports today. The qualifying stages are already underway, and the teams are preparing to give their best for the impressive prize money and prestigious Elisa Masters trophies. The competition promises to be fierce: there will be no random participants here — only those who are really ready to fight to the end.
And, of course, the tournament is not just about matches. A rich off-stage program has been prepared for the audience. The exhibition area will house stands of leading gaming brands with demo versions, exclusive merchandise and live communication with pro players. Add to this musical performances, cosplay contests and a variety of food courts – and it becomes clear that you can spend the whole day here without noticing how time flies.
Elisa Masters Espoo 2024: When Counter-Strike 2 comes to the fore
Special attention should be paid to Elisa Masters Espoo 2024, which will once again become one of the main venues for Counter-Strike 2. The tournament is supported by the city of Espoo and has long gone beyond the scope of a local event. Last year’s event only confirmed this: more than 8,000 spectators in the stands and an impressive 33 million online views made it one of the most notable international CS2 tournaments.
Eight elite teams will compete for the title this year. Among them is the Ukrainian B8 team, which has been confidently asserting itself recently, having won the Elisa Invitational Spring 2024, Elisa Esports eSM 2024 National Championship and Elisa Invitational Fall 2024. They will be joined by five more invited world-class teams. At stake is the $200,000 prize pool and, just as importantly, the prestige of winning on a major international stage.
Espoo Urban Environment Development Director Mervi Heinaro highlights the significance of the event:
“The gaming industry today is the largest form of entertainment in the world. We are consciously investing in the development of gaming startups and esports education. The partnership with Elisa Masters Espoo helps us to be closer to the gaming community. I sincerely invite the residents and guests of Espoo to be a part of this event.”
The tournament starts on October 16-17 with a studio stage, and from October 18 to October 20, the matches will move to the main stage of Espoo Metro Arena. Fans will find a busy schedule, intense episodes, and the very “electric” vibe that fans love so much about big CS2 events.
Finland has been steadily strengthening its position on the global esports map in recent years. A strong amateur scene, a growing number of professional teams, and support from major brands are doing their job. And it’s tournaments like the Elisa Masters Espoo that give players the chance to step outside the local scene and prove themselves to the world.
Elisa, the country’s leading telecom operator and the title sponsor of the tournament, plays a key role in this process. It’s not just about financing, but also about long-term support for young players and infrastructure development.
“Esports has become part of Finland’s cultural code,” says Elisa CEO Veli-Matti Mattila. “We are proud of our partnership with the city of Espoo and the opportunity to show how strong the Finnish players are. The Elisa Masters is the pinnacle of national esports, and we are looking forward to the October matches.”
Espoo Metro Arena is also preparing for the tournament. The venue has undergone a major renovation: a capacity of more than 12,000 spectators, modern screens, improved sound, comfortable VIP areas and advanced studios for broadcasts. All this creates the effect of total immersion — both for the audience in the hall and for those who watch online.
In addition to the main tournament, guests will enjoy many additional activities: an exhibition area, cosplay, art installations, discussions about the future of the industry, and educational workshops. A separate amateur tournament is provided for novice players, as well as scholarships and mentoring programs — a real chance to take the first step towards the professional scene.
“Elisa Masters Espoo is not just a competition. This is a celebration of gaming culture and a reflection of how far Finland has come in the world of esports,” says tournament director Mikko Hyakkinen. “We are happy to host the best Counter-Strike 2 teams and are confident that this year will be remembered for a long time.”
Tickets for Elisa Masters Espoo 2024 are sure to sell quickly — interest in the tournament is consistently high. For those who will not be able to come in person, detailed multilingual broadcasts on popular platforms will be available. The closer October gets, the stronger the expectation feels. Elisa Masters Espoo 2024 promises to be a real celebration of Counter-Strike 2 and once again confirm Finland’s status as one of the centers of global esports.
