Quicklinks

1.1.  Behavior

1.1.1.  Insults

1.1.2.  Spamming

1.1.3.  Unwanted contents

1.1.4.  Unsportsmanlike behavior

1.1.5.  Fraud

1.1.6.  Abusing bugs on the website

1.1.7.  Exclusion from the ESL

1.2.  Privacy of letters

1.3.  Accounts

1.3.1.  Registration

1.3.2.  Multiaccounts

1.3.3.  Account data

1.3.4.  Games

1.3.5.  Nicknames, Teamnames und URL aliases

1.4.  Coverage rights

2.1.  Scale of penalties

3.1.  Cheating.*

3.1.  General Points*

3.2.  Prize money payout*

3.2.  Ladders*

3.2.1.  General Terms and Conditions*

3.2.1.1.  Matches Between Players in the Top 10*

3.2.2.  Entries*

3.2.3.  Exits*

3.3.  Cups and Other Events*

3.3.  Fee payback*

3.3.1.  Entries*

3.3.2.  Exits*

4.1.  Game Preparations*

4.1.  Schedule*

4.1.1.  Match Broadcasting*

4.1.1.  Forfeit Wins*

4.1.2.  Match Arrangements*

4.2.  Match Host*

4.2.  Settings*

4.2.1.  Host for Ladder Play*

4.2.1.1.  Server Configs*

4.2.1.2.  Server Programs*

4.2.2.  Host for Bracket Play*

4.2.2.  Player*

4.2.2.1.  Custom Files*

4.2.2.2.  Programs*

4.2.2.3.  ESL Aequitas*

4.2.2.4.  Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs)*

4.3.  Server Settings*

4.3.  Ingame*

4.3.1.  Game Intermissions*

4.3.2.  Substitutions*

4.3.3.  Abortion of a match*

4.3.4.  Knife for sides*

4.4.  Results*

4.4.  Matchmedia*

4.4.1.  Demos*

4.4.2.  ESL Aequitas files*

4.4.3.  Screenshots*

4.5.  Illegal Actions*

4.5.  Illegal Actions*

4.5.1.  Buguse*

4.6.  Troubleshooting / Protest Procedures*

4.6.  Scale of penalties*

4.6.1.  Failure To Appear To A Match*

4.6.2.  Not Enough Players In A Team*

4.6.3.  Game Offenses*

4.6.4.  Host Problems*

4.7.  Fixed Dates / Appointments*

5.1.  Screenshots*

5.2.  Demos and Replays*

All players are asked to behave in a humane way towards other competitors, and to any member of the administration team; treat others as you would like to be treated! If a player is found guilty of misconduct by an administrator, he/ she may receive penalty points. Also, teams risk league kicks, bans and expulsions from ESL competitions.

1.1.1.  Insults

All insults that occur in connection with the ESL will be punished. This mainly includes insults during a match but also insults within the ESL website (forums, match comments, player comments, support- and protest pages, etc.). Insults via IRC, ICQ, e-mail or other media may be penalized, providing a connection to the ESL is given and provable.

1.1.2.  Spamming

The excessive posting of futile, annoying or offensive contributions within the ESL is considered as spamming. Spamming on the website (forums, match comments, player comments, support- and protest pages, etc) will be penalized.

1.1.3.  Unwanted contents

It is forbidden to publicize offensive, pornographic or violence-glorifying content (images, links, texts) which violates applicable law. Furthermore you are not allowed to upload copyright protected images without the agreement of the holder of rights.

1.1.4.  Unsportsmanlike behavior

In order to secure a well-regulated and pleasant course of game, it is inevitable that all players act in a sportsmanlike and fair way. A breach of this rule will be penalized with penalty points.

1.1.5.  Fraud

Every kind of economic fraud will be reported to the police (forgery and defalcation).

1.1.6.  Abusing bugs on the website

Any abuse of bugs on the ESL website is forbidden and can lead to legal steps.

1.1.7.  Exclusion from the ESL

In extreme cases a user can be excluded from the ESL.

All contents of tickets (protest and support) and admin e-mails are strictly confidential. The publication of such contents is not allowed without permission on the site of ESL.

User and team accounts are not transferable. It is especially forbidden to trade them on "eBay" or similar pages. The owner of a team account is the leader or the person who registered the account. If a user do not want to use his account anymore for some reason, he needs to open a support ticket especially if he wants to create a new account (which is forbidden).

1.3.1.  Registration

Every player is allowed to have exactly one user account on the ESL. You need to be at least 6 years old to register an ESL account.

1.3.2.  Multiaccounts

It is not allowed to possess multiple ESL accounts. Multiaccounting will be penalized according to the scope of penalties on the bottom of this page.

1.3.3.  Account data

The user obliges that all information, which have been entered during the registration and the usage of the ESL, are given to the best of one's knowledge and belief. False information can be penalized with penalties and barrages.

1.3.4.  Games

Every league participant must own a legal copy of every game they play. If it is proven that a player is using a pirate or illegal copy, he/she will be immediately removed from the league and banned from the website. Unless otherwise stated in each ladder, the latest version of each game (update patch) should be used for matches.

1.3.5.  Nicknames, Teamnames und URL aliases

Turtle entertainment reserves the right to edit Nicknames and/or URL aliases, if the user fails to comply with the following requirements.

Nicknames/aliases are forbidden if they:

are protected by third-party rights as long as the user has no written authorisation

resemble or if they are identical to a brand or trademark, no matter whether it has been registered or not

refer to personalities

consist of names of Turtle Entertainment products

resemble or if they are identical to the names of Turtle Entertainment employees

are nothing but gibberish

Apart from that any nicknames/aliases that are purely commercial (e.g. product names), defamatory, pejorative, offensive, vulgar, obscene, anti-Semitic, inciting hatred, or offending against good manners are forbidden. Names of real persons must not be used as nicknames as long as it is not the users own name proven by the trusted status.

Using alternative spelling, gibberish or wrong spelling in order to avoid the requirements mentioned above is illegal. We reserve the right to extend, change, exchange or delete these rules if necessary.

The requirements mentioned above also apply to team names.

The ESL reserves exclusive right to the coverage of Electronic Sports League matches. This includes all forms of transmission, including IRC Bots, Shoutcast-streams, HLTV and ESL-TV Broadcasts. The Electronic Sports League can assign the coverage rights of a match or of several matches to a third party or to the actual players themselves. In this case, terms and conditions would have to be arranged with the ESL management before the match.
In general, the ESL will contact any player or team if they wish to broadcast one of their matches. If no contact is made, individual players are allowed to arrange their own broadcasts. Should the game take place on a server that ESL administrators have no direct access to, it must be made sure that enough slots are available for the according clients.

If a player or team disregards or violates one or more of the legal rules of the league, this can have various consequences depending on the severity of the offence. The ESL possesses an official catalogue of penalty points according to which points are given for each offence.

In addition to penalty points, players and teams may be barred (also known as frozen, locked and barraged) if they have accumulated a certain amount of penalty points:

After obtaining 4 penalty points: 1 week barrage

After obtaining 9 penalty points: 2 weeks barrage

After obtaining 10 penalty points: 1 month barrage

As a rule, the penalty points are deleted after a certain period of time. There are different clearance periods depending on the amount of points:

1-2 penalty points: 2 months

3-6 penalty points: 3 months

7 penalty points: 6 months

12 penalty points: 2 years (see cheating)

Insults result in the following penalties:

Written warning for the first offence

1 Penalty point + 1 week barrage for the second offence, or first serious offence

2 Penalty points + 2 weeks barrage for the third offence, or second serious offence

3 Penalty points + 3 weeks barrage for subsequent offences

The admins reserve the right to give additional penalties.

Cheating in a ESL event indicates a form of fraud. In the circumstance that a player is awarded money or product and then later found to be cheating at any point in that event by a retroactive examination of the player, that player will be required to repay ESL the full amount of money earned or full market value of product distributed at the time of distribution before being allowed to return to competitive play at the end of the suspension. Any amount of money collected by ESL in this fashion will be redistributed to the community via another event. ESL has sole discretion to waive this requirement on a per-case basis. Players who were awarded money or prizes and then later found cheating in an entirely separate event will not be required to make reparations.

The Electronic Sports League offers many different game systems. You can find out which one is used in your particular game by visiting the "Info & Details" page of your specific game.

We will pay out the prize money with PayPal after the tournament is completed. This may be delayed by any protests. Only players at the age of 16 years or older can the payout. The prize money will not be paid out if the team has been disqualified from the tournament.

3.2.1.  General Terms and Conditions

Points:
The ladders in the Electronic Sports League are based upon the ELO points system. The points calculation of any match is calculated from the position of a player/team in the ladder, their opponents position, and the result of the match. For full details, please read the FAQ.

Challenges within a ladder:
Any participant may challenge any other, no matter if a team is ranked or still in the newcomer pool. The challenge may be refused by the other team/player if he/she wishes to do so. However, should the challenged team be within 20 places above the challenging team, the refusal will be punished with two penalty points. A challenging team from the newcomer pool would be ranked last within the ladder plus one, and therefore the 20 teams/players at the bottom would be punished for rejecting a challenge. Players or teams that have more than 5 outstanding challenges, no matter if the matches are confirmed or not, may not take on any further challenges. This is scripted into the ESL System and cannot be changed by individual players/teams.

Only one match is allowed between two participants within 7 days. After a team/player has been challenged, further challenges between the two teams/players are blocked for 7 days. After this, the team/player can be challenges once again.

3.2.1.1.  Matches Between Players in the Top 10

The so-called "challenge spam protection" does not apply within ladders with more than 20 participants and 5 open matches if both teams / players are positioned within the ladder's Top 10. Usually, matches between two players in the Top 10 are obligatory.

3.2.2.  Entries

Players or teams may enter or leave a ladder at any time during the season.

3.2.3.  Exits

On leaving a ladder, the team’s/player’s score is automatically put on hold. After leaving a league, a team is not able to re-enter the same ladder for 2 weeks. If a team/player rejoins the same ladder, their score will be automatically reactivated.

Once the tournament tree is established (24 hours before cup begin), the right of the payback forfeits. There won't be a payback if the team does not appear on the tournament or was disqualified.

3.3.1.  Entries

A team can enter a cup according to the established cup-rules.

3.3.2.  Exits

A team can exit a cup according to the established cup-rules.

In addition to challenging other teams via the ESL Page, it is also always a good idea to contact the challenged team per e-mail, irc, icq or other means a few days before the match.

4.1.1.  Match Broadcasting

All forms of game broadcasting are allowed if both sides agree. If one side wants to broadcast a match, the details of the broadcast should be discussed before the match takes place.
Further details can be found in rule 1.4 Game Coverage.

4.1.1.  Forfeit Wins

All CS divisions will have a default day and time to play a match. If alternate scheduling is permitted and a team is unable to contact their opponent, it is required to play at default time. Match extensions will only be granted to those who ask in a timely manner and have a set date in mind.

A forfeit win will only be given if
» The active team tried to play the match
» The active team made available information to play the match
» The active team allowed at least 15 minutes for their opponent to join the match
» All Aequitas files and a status screen shot are uploaded
» A team states, on match page, their intent to forfeit unless they are dead/inactive.

4.1.2.  Match Arrangements

Arrangements must be done before a match takes place.
See 8. Arrangements for further information.

4.2.1.  Host for Ladder Play

The player who received the challenge is host for the match.

4.2.1.1.  Server Configs

Config files with the settings for all ladders can be found in the esl_cs_config.zip file which is available for download. Use of these configurations is mandatory for all ESL matches.

The team that provides the server is responsible for the server and the settings. In case of a server manipulation, the team and all their player will be held accountable. Check server settings before the match has begun, once a match is live you agree to the server conditions. A protest regarding such settings afterwords will be closed.

4.2.1.2.  Server Programs

VAC2 is mandatory!
The only legal program to run on a game server is VAC2. All other plugins or programs, like VAC, HLG, Soundcheck, Metamod, Clanmod or AMXMod, are illegal. Any other third party program not listed is also illegal.

4.2.2.  Host for Bracket Play

The player who has the lower seed will host he match.

4.2.2.  Player

4.2.2.1.  Custom Files

Custom files (except Steam skins) are illegal. Steam skins are skins that only change the Steam layout or the console. Changing models, crosshairs, the HUD, or any other files is illegal. This also includes CS:CZ models, HLTV models and small changes like modified bomb lights or cartridges. CS:CZ Model Fix. Similarly, it is illegal to edit, modify, rename or otherwise alter default counter-strike models, sounds, and/or files.

4.2.2.2.  Programs

Changing the graphic options or textures with the help of graphic card drivers or similar tools or programs is illegal.
Programs that do not have any influence on the game are allowed (voice programs, server administration tools). Any other programs are illegal (e.g. cheats).

4.2.2.3.  ESL Aequitas

ESL Aequitas is the ESL anticheat program, which is also used to check the client settings. Using the latest Aequitas version during the entire match is mandatory.
If you are not able to run ESL Aequitas properly, you are not allowed to participate in an ESL match. In case of problems you have to postpone the match (if necessary by filing a protest).

4.2.2.4.  Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs)

If the match is interrupted during game play, the score of the match will be saved. The game is then continued according to the following procedure: The start money is set to 2000 and the team that lost the last round kills itself using the function “kill” in the console. This round does not count. The match begins with the following round. The start money has to be set to 800$ again.

If a player lags out then the server may be paused for a maximum of 5 minutes.

The server settings should be the following:

Category: Melee
Mode: 1v1/2v2 (depends on competition)
Game Speed: Faster

4.3.1.  Game Intermissions

If the match is interrupted during game play, the score of the match will be saved. The game is then continued according to the following procedure: The start money is set to 2000 and the team that lost the last round kills itself using the function “kill” in the console. This round does not count. The match begins with the following round. The start money has to be set to 800$ again.

If a player lags out then the server may be paused for a maximum of 5 minutes.

4.3.2.  Substitutions

A team is allowed to have 1 substitution during the match. The player who is getting subbed out may not return to that match at any point and must leave the server before the sub enters. The sub must also remember to start his client and record like his teammates.

4.3.3.  Abortion of a match

If a team/player wins the majority of rounds on a map (e.g. 16 rounds for MR 15), the match can be aborted and the result must be entered (e.g. 16-4). There is no need to play all rounds.

4.3.4.  Knife for sides

To determine sides for the match, a knife round will be held before the match goes live. Players are to meet at that map`s middle and knife it out. The team that wins this round will choose the side they wish to start the match off on.

The home team also has the right to play on their server first half along with all of overtime. If both teams do not have a server it is up to the home team to find one.

Both players / teams are responsible for entering the correct results. Both players / teams may enter a detailed report or statements on the game. The admins are also free to enter a report , either written by themselves or by third parties.

Should the opposing player / team be late to the game, follow rule 5.6.1.

In case of disagreements concerning the score, both players / teams should keep screenshots of the game that can be sent to the admins when requested.

All Matchmedia are to be kept for at least 14 days and need to be uploaded if a admin requests them. The aequitas files and mandatory screenshots need to be uploaded immediately without further request. Faking or manipulating match media is of course forbidden and will result in severe penalties.

See Matchmedia FAQ for further information.

4.4.1.  Demos

Players are required to record one demo per side of a map played. Demos need to be uploaded within 48 hours if a member of a team gets disputed.

4.4.2.  ESL Aequitas files

Uploading the Aequitas files to the ESL FTP within 48 hours after the match is mandatory. Any manipulated or incomplete Aequitas files will be rated as missing file.

Failure to upload the files after the match will result in penalty points being awarded. If the client is not ran and no files are uploaded then match will also be overturned.

4.4.3.  Screenshots

It is mandatory to upload screenshots from every final scoreboard, as well as a status screenshot (optional with rcon). Only the leader of the team must upload them after the match.

Any actions that result in an unfair advantage are illegal. This includes bug using of any kind and the following actions.
To throw grenades below walls is illegal while throwing them over walls or roofs is legal. If you do have questions about legal/illegal positions, please write a support ticket (subject: Map bugs).
» Using the shield is illegal.
» Planting the bomb in a in a non-reachable area is illegal*.
» Planting a bomb which cannot be heard (silent bomb).
» Other actions an admin deems illegal
*This does not go for areas that can only be reached with the help of a teammate.

Should a team fail to turn up in time for a game, it receives penalty points which are due after 20 minutes, counting from the previously arranged time at which the game was to commence. Exiting a server during a game without a good reason is forbidden.

4.5.1.  Buguse

Any kind of usage of bugs is strictly forbidden. There is a FAQ with a list of known bugs, however bugs which are not listed are also restricted.

As a basic rule, every game is played through to the end. Should problems occur, these must be announced clearly by one of the players by calling “Protest”. As soon as the match is over, the protest form must be filled in on the website. The admins will then check the case with the help of the form and impose a penalty if necessary.

A protest must be handed in within 72 hours after the beginning of a match. A protest must be made using the protest form. It is not possible to use the support form. The opposing team then has 72 hours in which it may comment on the accusations made against it. An additional request by the admin is not necessary, as the notification occurs automatically.

If no response is received within the 72 hours period allowed, the team forfeits it’s right and the admin alone must decide according to the available data and facts.

The codes of conduct must also be kept to in case of a protest. Verbal misconduct or abuse in any form can be punished with penalty points.

This is a list of penalties which differ from the global rulebook.

Forbidden action	Punishment
Missing matchmedias
Missing/incomplete demo	2 penalty points
Missing/incomplete aequitas file	2 penalty points
Missing/incomplete screenshots	1 penalty point
Settings
Forbidden configs	2 penalty points per value (max. 6)
Forbidden scripts	2-6 penalty points
16 Bit	2 penalty points (for the player)
ex_interp 0.1	2 penalty points (for the player)
Custom files	2 penalty points
Unsportsmanslike behavior
Buguse	2 penalty points for every use

4.6.1.  Failure To Appear To A Match

Should a player / team not appear to a match on time, and the other player / team waited for at least 20 minutes, an entry is made in the result sheet.

For ESL Instant Challenger matches the waiting time is 10 minutes.

For EAS match, generated through ESL Auto-Challenger, a player / team is allowed to ask for default win via protest, if the opposing player / team did not show up.

The incident has to be documented with screenshots. You need to hand them to the responsible admin in case of a protest. It is forbidden to enter a result by itself.

4.6.2.  Not Enough Players In A Team

Should a team have too few players at a match for any reason, they are nevertheless allowed to compete against the complete opposing team, providing they have the minimum amount of players necessary. Unless stated differently in the game’s specific rules, the minimum amount of players a team is allowed to compete with is the designated amount minus one. The opposing team may freely decide to take players off their team in order to make it a fairer match. The match may also be postponed, if both the teams are agreed.

4.6.3.  Game Offenses

Should a team ascertain a game offence, the best procedure is to write a support-mail via the ESL page. The match-ID and an exact description of the occurrences must be given in this mail. The accusations must be provable and the page on which the proof can be viewed by the admins must also be given.

The support-function should only be utilized when the problem that occurs is not during a match. Problems that apply to a match directly, must be dealt with using the protest-function.

4.6.4.  Host Problems

If the host for the match is having problems (i.e. players can't join), another player must host the match.

Rules concerning the dates and times of a game, should any exist, are to be found in the specific game rules.

A screenshot of the on-screen results must be made of every game that is played. The screenshots must be uploaded onto the page with the match details as soon as possible after the game has ended. One screenshot showing each result (e.g. per half or map) is needed and can be uploaded by either the winners or the losers.

Non-existent screenshots lead to the assumption of a so-called “fake match”, a match that never took place. The screenshots must be uploaded within 24 hours after the game ends. They are to be kept for at least 14 days and must be presented to a player, or an admin at request.

If your game supports a demo- or replay-function, it is obligatory for all players to use it. The demos are to be kept for at least 14 days and must be presented to the admin at request. If it should come to a protest, the demos must be kept until 14 days after conclusion of the protest.

If a player or team suspects that another player or team is violating a regulation during a game, the demo can be demanded of the opposing team straight away. The admins are only to be called in, when suspicions continue to exist even after the demos have been viewed. In this case, the clan or player may proceed and send the admin the game demos. The admin will then take the appropriate action.

It is recommended to voluntarily make all demos available to the public in order to keep the ladders transparent and interesting. For specific rules, please read the respective game rules.

Certain arrangements between the teams/players are allowed. These arrangements may slightly differ from the ESL rules. Arrangements that differ greatly from the set of rules are however not allowed. Please note that the ESL rules were made to guarantee the same advantages/disadvantages for all teams. You are not allowed to file a protest after the match if you think that the agreements made before the match in the end resulted in a disadvantage for you or your team.

Rules that can be changed by agreements are to be found in the game specific (*) rules. Should this not be the case then you are not allowed to agree on changes.

All arrangements between teams in addition to the ESL rules have to be written down in the match comments. The other team has to confirm those arrangements in the comments. To avoid an abuse of the edit function, a third comment has to be written.

Please do also keep screenshots and/or logfiles of your arrangements. If you do not fulfil these restrictions, any protests or supports concerning those arrangements will be
rejected.

The following rules cannot be changed by arrangement:
- Entering results for matches that have not been played
- Game privileges of players which are barred because of penalty points, or are barred in the league due to a ban
- Game privileges of players in leagues with premium requirement, which have been barred for inactivity