IEM Kraków will welcome fans and players from around the globe to TAURON Arena Kraków on February 6-8, 2026
Thursday, May 29, 2025, Kraków: ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), the leading esports and video game entertainment company, today announced that Intel® Extreme Masters (IEM) will move its most historic tournament from Katowice to Kraków, Poland. Building on a 19-year-long tradition and legacy of the longest-running professional esports tournament circuit, which began in Hannover, Germany, the landmark tournament breaks new ground, as it’s set to take place in Kraków for the very first time. The final three days of IEM Kraków will be hosted live at the TAURON Arena Kraków on February 6-8, welcoming thousands of passionate fans to enjoy world-class Counter-Strike action live.
Taking the next step and transferring the ESL Pro Tour Championship event to Kraków is a natural evolution of the tournament and a commitment to meeting the growing expectations of the community eager to watch Counter-Strike on the biggest stages. The new setting allows for a larger audience and a world-class in-arena experience that continues to push the boundaries of live esports production. As part of a new multi-year agreement, both EFG and the city of Kraków are committed to establishing IEM Kraków as a recurring event in the global esports calendar for years to come.
“Kraków is a city proud of its royal history, but simultaneously open to the future and innovation. The global reach of Intel Extreme Masters Kraków is a chance to present Kraków to new audiences as an ideal destination for business, tourism, and investment,” said Aleksander Miszalski, Mayor of Kraków.
“For almost two decades, Intel Extreme Masters has built a heritage full of emotional and defining moments in esports history. From the early days in Hannover to the rise of new legends in Katowice, every stop along the way has left its mark on our legacy,” said Michal Blicharz, VP Product Development at ESL FACEIT Group. “Today, as we begin a new chapter of this story, we look forward to continuing it with the world’s best gamers and esports fans, as they add new pages to it in Kraków, on a bigger scale than ever before.”
Fans staying in Kraków will have an unique chance to get up and close to the Intel Extreme Masters trophy on May 30 – June 2 at Galeria Krakowska. On June 8, the trophy will be available to visitors of Kraków City Hall during an open day and will remain in the city hall for a 2 week period.
Commencing on January 27, IEM Kraków will set the stage for the world’s best 24 Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) teams battling it out to secure six coveted spots in the Playoff stage of the competition. With $1,250,000 total winnings on the line and one of the most iconic esports trophies, the tournament is poised to elevate the fan experience while honoring its legacy.
More details on IEM Kraków ticket sales will be available at a later date. For more information, follow ESL CS on X, Instagram, and Facebook.
For more general information, check out eslfaceitgroup.com or follow ESL FACEIT Group on LinkedIn.
