The world’s longest running pro gaming tour will be making a stop in Melbourne, Australia, this April 25-27, with 16 of the world’s best Counter-Strike teams competing.
Monday, January 20 2025, Melbourne — ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), the leading esports and video game entertainment company, today announced Intel® Extreme Masters (IEM) Melbourne 2025 – a Counter-Strike 2 tournament that will take place in Melbourne, Australia, across April 21-27, 2025, with a live arena Playoffs occurring on the weekend of April 25-27. Featuring sixteen of the world’s best Counter-Strike 2 teams, this year marks the first time the global esports tournament series has been hosted in Melbourne. The tournament heralds the return of IEM to Australia for the fifth time, following a sold-out edition in 2023, which saw 20,000 fans in attendance over the three day event hosted in Sydney’s Super Aware Theatre.
Sixteen of the world’s best Counter-Strike 2 teams will make their way to Melbourne to compete in the group stages (April 21-23). Teams will be invited based on Valve Regional Standings, with the invite cut-off happening based on the first available ranking update in February, 2025. The top six teams who make their way through the double-elimination groups will advance to the playoffs, playing live in Melbourne across April 25-27. Fans will be treated to the highest level of Counter-Strike 2, with a front row seat for every victory and defeat.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos
“We’re extremely excited to have the world’s best gamers here to showcase their skills at one of the biggest esports tournaments ever seen on Australian shores.”
“There will be an incredible atmosphere in Melbourne when competitors and fans flock here from around the world – and it’ll be a major boost for our economy to have thousands of people filling hotel rooms and visiting our world-class cafes and restaurants.”
Quotes attributable to Marc Winther, Director Game Ecosystems – Counter-Strike at ESL FACEIT Group
“The Australian crowd consistently brings something special to our Counter-Strike events – the atmosphere in the arena is always unique, filled with energy and fun, and that comes across online as well. Fans all around the world look forward to seeing what the Aussie crowd will get up to.”
“We’ve always wanted to bring an IEM event to Melbourne, Australia’s historic home of sport, and after an attempt in 2020 that was thwarted by a global pandemic, we are excited to finally bring the tournament to the city.”
Group Stage
The Group Stage of IEM Melbourne 2025 will feature 16 invited teams, based on the Valve Regional Standings (“VRS”) system (10 Global, 2 Europe, 2 Americas, 2 Asia). Teams are split in two double-elimination groups, with all matches to be played in a best-of-three format.
Playoffs
The IEM Melbourne 2025 Playoffs will take place live in Rod Laver Arena, featuring the top 6 teams from the Group Stage. Quarterfinals and Semifinals will be played in a best-of-three format, with the Playoffs Grand Final played as a best-of-five.
Team Invites
- Global VRS Invite (1st-10th)
- Global VRS Invite (1st-10th)
- Global VRS Invite (1st-10th)
- Global VRS Invite (1st-10th)
- Global VRS Invite (1st-10th)
- Global VRS Invite (1st-10th)
- Global VRS Invite (1st-10th)
- Global VRS Invite (1st-10th)
- Global VRS Invite (1st-10th)
- Global VRS Invite (1st-10th)
- Europe VRS Invite (1st-2nd)
- Europe VRS Invite (1st-2nd)
- Americas VRS Invite (1st-2nd)
- Americas VRS Invite (1st-2nd)
- Asia VRS Invite (1st-2nd)
- Asia VRS Invite (1st-2nd)
The IEM Melbourne 2025 broadcast will begin on April 21, 2025, as the Group Stage of the tournament kicks off. Fans can watch the broadcast live on FACEIT Watch, the premier destination for live esports content, or via ESL Counter-Strike’s Twitch and YouTube channels, and via dedicated broadcast partners. For more details about the competition, check out the official website and follow ESL Counter-Strike on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and TikTok. For more general information, head over to eslfaceitgroup.com and follow ESL FACEIT Group on LinkedIn.
Tickets
On Thursday, January 23, at 2PM AEDT, IEM Melbourne 2025 tickets will go on-sale via Ticketek, with 3-Day tickets available from AU$189. The full range of ticket types available include:
Ticket Type | Price | Inclusions |
3-Day General Admission | AU$189 | – Full access to IEM over all 3 days |
3-Day GA+ | AU$249 | – Full access to IEM over all 3 days |
3-Day Premium | AU$359 | – Full access to IEM over all 3 days |
3-Day GOD MODE | AU$1,999 | – Full access to IEM over all 3 days |
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About ESL FACEIT Group
ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) is the leading esports and video game entertainment company dedicated to creating worlds beyond gameplay where players and fans become community. EFG is built on a legacy of world-renowned brands including ESL, FACEIT, and DreamHack, providing innovative ecosystems for global communities of players, fans and creators around the games they love. Working alongside leading partners, brands and global IPs, EFG operates an unmatched portfolio of live events, digital platforms and developer tools that reach and engage millions of gamers worldwide. For more information visit www.eslfaceitgroup.com.
About ESL
ESL creates a world where everybody can be somebody. For more than two decades, we have been shaping the industry and leading esports and gaming innovation globally across the most popular video games, creating a comprehensive ecosystem with opportunities for players to go from zero to hero and for fans to witness the best stories esports has to offer. The ESL portfolio consists of high-profile products such as the ESL Pro Tour, Intel® Extreme Masters, the Snapdragon Pro Series, and many more, ranging from grassroots to global elite competitions. ESL is part of ESL FACEIT Group, the leading esports and video game entertainment company.
About Intel® Extreme Masters
Intel® Extreme Masters is the longest-running global professional esports tournament circuit in the world. Started in 2006 by Intel® and ESL, the competition features the world’s best gamers in Counter-Strike 2, StarCraft® II, and other esport titles. Approaching two decades of history and many record-breaking events in terms of viewership and stadium attendance, IEM is widely considered one of the most prestigious and traditional esports tournaments in the world (www.intelextrememasters.com).
About Visit Victoria
Visit Victoria is the state’s tourism, business and major events company, inspiring people to visit Melbourne and Victoria through creative story-telling and enriching events.
