By TN Media News – Cologne/New York
Cologne, Germany – The legendary Intel® Extreme Masters (IEM) Cologne returns from August 7–18, drawing 24 of the world’s top Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) teams for one of the most prestigious tournaments in esports. The final three days of the $1 million event will take place in front of a sold-out crowd at LANXESS Arena, also known as the “Cathedral of Counter-Strike.”
Organized by ESL FACEIT Group, the tournament is a cornerstone of the global esports calendar and a key event in the Intel® Grand Slam V race. The tournament also offers teams a shot at the second ESL Pro Tour (EPT) Championship title of the year.
Tournament Format Overview
Stage 1 (August 7–9):
-
16 teams battle in a double-elimination bracket
-
All matches are best-of-three
-
Top 8 teams advance to Stage 2
Stage 2 (August 10–13):
-
Includes 8 Stage 1 qualifiers + 8 pre-qualified teams
-
Two groups of eight in double-elimination format
-
Top 3 teams from each group proceed to playoffs
-
Group winners → Semifinals
-
2nd & 3rd → Quarterfinals
-
Playoffs (August 16–18):
-
Single-elimination format
-
Quarterfinals & Semifinals: Best-of-three
-
Grand Final: Best-of-five
Competing Teams
Stage 1 Teams:
-
ALTERNATE aTTaX 🇩🇪
-
HEROIC 🇩🇰
-
Eternal Fire 🇹🇷
-
Team Falcons 🇸🇦
-
Complexity Gaming 🇺🇸
-
9z Globant 🇺🇾
-
The MongolZ 🇲🇳
-
FlyQuest 🇦🇺
-
Team Liquid 🇺🇸
-
Imperial Esports 🇧🇷
-
FURIA Esports 🇧🇷
-
BIG 🇩🇪
-
BetBoom Team 🇷🇺
-
paiN Gaming 🇧🇷
-
MIBR 🇧🇷
-
SAW 🇵🇹
Stage 2 Direct Qualifiers:
-
Team Spirit 🇷🇺 (IEM Katowice 2024 winner)
-
FaZe Clan 🌍 (IEM Chengdu 2024 winner)
-
MOUZ 🇩🇪 (ESL Pro League S19 winner)
-
G2 Esports 🇪🇺 (IEM Dallas 2024 winner)
-
Team Vitality 🇫🇷
-
Natus Vincere 🇺🇦
-
Astralis 🇩🇰
-
Virtus.pro 🇷🇺
Fan Engagement and On-Site Activities (August 16–18)
Fans attending the LANXESS Arena can expect immersive experiences including:
-
All-Star Showmatch before the Grand Final (Aug 18, 14:30 CEST)
-
Intel® Tent: Hands-on with new games, hardware demos, and pro player meet-and-greets
-
ESL Shop: Exclusive IEM Cologne merch, team jerseys, and collectible Kolex Cards
-
Monster Energy Booth: Sampling bar, claw machines, 2v2 games, and CS2 map trials
-
DHL Booth: Win a trip to ESL Pro League S20 in Malta and meet legends GeT_RiGhT & FalleN
How to Watch
FACEIT Watch:
-
Multi-perspective viewing (up to 4 players)
-
Live replays, killcams, and spoiler-free mode
-
Daily giveaways including valuable in-game skins
Other Platforms:
-
Twitch & YouTube (ESL Counter-Strike channels)
-
Full match replays available on FACEIT Watch and YouTube
Legacy and Prestige
First held in 2014, IEM Cologne has become one of the most iconic events in esports history, celebrated for its thrilling matches and passionate fanbase. With this year marking the transition to Counter-Strike 2, the stakes have never been higher.
The 2024 edition promises not only fierce competition but also a celebration of community, innovation, and esports excellence.
For more updates, visit: https://tnmn.tv/
