The ESL Pro League's fifth season will start in February

The ESL CS:GO Pro League will return in 2017, as online viewership and attendance of live events has grown hugely season after season, solidifying its status as a major CS:GO tournament.

Season 5 of the ESL Pro League will start on February 7 next year and the global finals will take place in Dallas, Texas from June 3 to 4, the first standalone ESL Pro League Finals to be held in the US. Season 6 will be held from August to November next year, with the finals in December. Both of these seasons have taken into account other already announced events and leagues to minimise clashes, too, with Pro League matches happening Tuesday to Thursday each week.

The total ESL Pro League 2017 prize pool stands at $2 million US dollars, split evenly between Seasons 5 and 6, a 25% increase from last year's $1.5 million.

"The ESL Pro League Season 4 Finals once again showcased world class CS:GO in a thriving esports region," said VP Pro Gaming at ESL Ulrich Schulze. "ESL brought more than 6,000 happy visitors to Sao Paulo and broke our viewership records for Pro League. We are excited to continue this growth and improvement in 2017 with an even larger global reach and increased prizing."

"We are continuing to make Pro League bigger and better. Through increased prize money, expanding the regions to introduce new teams, and holding our Season 5 Finals in the United States, we are confident that 2017 will be the most exciting year in Pro League's history," said WESA's Commissioner and Executive Chairman Ken Hershman.

Are you excited for Season 5 to kick off?