July 21, 2025, Cologne: The time has come again for the Cathedral of Counter-Strike to crown the next Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Champion. IEM Cologne 2025 is set to bring together the world’s top Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) teams for one of the most iconic esports events. With the second Championship title at stake and the electrifying roar of the LANXESS arena crowd, IEM Cologne remains a pinnacle of the competitive calendar.
IEM Cologne 2025 is set to bring together 24 of the world’s best CS2 teams from July 23 to August 3 competing for the lion’s share of $1,250,000 in Total Winnings, a win in the race to secure the $1 million ESL Grand Slam VI, the coveted championship trophy, and the chance to etch their name into the Intel® Extreme Masters legacy. The final three days of the tournament will see the top six teams battle it out at a sold-out LANXESS arena in front of thousands of passionate fans. This year’s edition is even more special as ESL is celebrating its 25th anniversary, commemorating a quarter-century of shaping the competitive landscape.
Schedule and Format:
Stage 1 (July 23-25):
- Features 16 teams competing for eight spots in Stage 2.
- The first stage is played in a double-elimination bracket.
- All matches are best-of-three
Stage 2 (July 26-29):
- The top eight teams from Stage 1 and the eight directly qualified teams are split into two groups of eight.
- The groups compete in a double-elimination format.
- All matches are best-of-three.
- The top three teams from each group advance to the Playoffs.
- Group stage winners advance to the Semifinals.
- Group stage second- and third-place teams advance to the Quarterfinals.
Playoffs (August 1-3):
- Played in a single-elimination format.
- The Quarterfinals and Semifinals are best-of-three.
- The Grand Final is best-of-five.
Teams Attending
Stage 1:
- 3DMAX
- Astralis
- B8
- BIG
- Complexity Gaming
- FaZe Clan
- FlyQuest
- FURIA Esports
- GamerLegion
- HEROIC
- MIBR
- Ninjas in Pyjamas
- paiN Gaming
- Team Liquid
- TYLOO
- Virtus.pro
Stage 2:
- Aurora Gaming
- G2 Esports
- MOUZ
- Natus Vincere
- Team Vitality
- Team Spirit
- Team Vitality
- The MongolZ
Talent Line-up
The full broadcast talent list is available HERE.
Prize Money
Total Winnings: $1,250,000 | |||
Place | Total Winnings | Player Prize Money | Club Prize Money |
1st | $460,000 | $400,000 | $60,000 |
2nd | $216,000 | $180,000 | $36,000 |
3rd-4th | $118,000 | $80,000 | $28,000 |
5th-6th | $61,000 | $40,000 | $21,000 |
7th – 8th | $38,000 | $24,000 | $14,000 |
9th – 12th | $23,000 | $16,000 | $7,000 |
13th-16th | $10,000 | $10,000 | – |
17th-20th | $4,500 | $4,500 | – |
21st-24th | $2,500 | $2,500 | – |
On-Site Activations
Those visiting the LANXESS arena on August 1-3 can also look forward to a wide variety of on-site activities*:
- At the Intel® Tent, fans are invited to try out the latest games and hardware, participate in activities, and get their idols’ signatures.
- For the first time in IEM history, fans can own the same PC the pros compete on, as Acer’s Predator Orion 7000 makes its debut as the official tournament PC at IEM Cologne. This milestone at the Cathedral of Counter-Strike highlights how the longstanding partnership with Acer and Intel continues to drive innovation and deliver unforgettable fan experiences. Attendees can get hands-on with the high-performance setup and experience the power firsthand.
- The ESL Shop will provide visitors an elevated experience with an exclusive IEM Katowice and ESL merch drop, Kolex Cards, team jerseys, and much more.
- As a part of the ESL’s 25th anniversary campaign, the ESL Shop will offer a premium, limited-edition coin symbolizing 25 years of iconic matches, legendary players, and unforgettable moments in esports.
- DHL will once again deliver special prizes and experiences with the !DHLDrop to both fans watching the games from the arena and to those following online.
- Knorr will host an on-stage beat the clock challenge with lucky fans having to answer CS related questions before they run out of time.
- The iconic fan-favorite organizations will make their appearance at IEM Cologne, allowing the audience to meet their favorite players, members, and connect with other fans alike through Big’s, G2’s, and Team Liquid’s dedicated booths.
- Fans eager for more Counter-Strike action will be able to play the game and test the monitors that players use at IEM Cologne at ZOWIE’s booth.
Where to Watch
The live broadcast will be available on FACEIT Watch. You can also tune in live on ESL Counter-Strike Twitch and YouTube channels, as well as via dedicated broadcast partners. For those unable to tune in live, all matches will also be available to watch on-demand via FACEIT Watch and YouTube.
For more information about IEM Cologne 2025 and the latest updates on the event, please head over to the official website and follow ESL Counter-Strike on X, Facebook, and Instagram.
For more information on ESL FACEIT Group, visit eslfaceitgroup.com and follow EFG on LinkedIn.
A press accreditation application is available HERE.
*Details of the mentioned activities are still subject to change.
