The first EPL using Valve’s ranking system has its invites announced. With a notable exception.

With events this year requiring TOs to do invites using VRS, we’ve been really curious to see the invites come through for long running events like EPL. So far, it’s not really made much of a difference.

The only team that might be a surprise is probably 3DMAX. Unless you’re a delusional Frenchman, like neL.

The usual suspects are all there, G2, MOUZ, Spirit, etc. The only notable exception is FaZe Clan, who refused the invite to this event. Something we’re probably going to need to get used to with 2025 having more events than ever before, all using the same invite pool.

We suppose it’s just what CS is going to be in 2025, we’re not complaining. Maybe some teams who wouldn’t have been given a shot get to prove what they’re capable of and climb the VRS ladder.

Unless Vitality and Spirit decide to only attend events the other doesn’t. We might be cooked.

In any case, EPL will continue to be one of the CS events of all time, regardless of if the invites are done by VRS, ESL ranking, or by setting a wild pig free onto a field with random teams’ logos on it. It’ll still be EPL, and we love it for that.