January 27, 2025, Katowice: Intel® Extreme Masters (IEM) is on its way to Katowice, Poland, for another historic Counter-Strike showdown. The first ESL Pro Tour (EPT) Championship of the year is set to return to Katowice for the 13th time on January 29 – February 9, with the final three days of the competition culminating at the sold-out Spodek Arena, where thousands of passionate fans will witness the action live.
IEM Katowice is presented by ESL FACEIT Group, the leading esports and video game entertainment company. 24 world’s best Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) teams are competing in this ultimate showdown in the hopes to win the lion’s share of the $1,250,000 Total Winnings and a coveted spot in the Hall of Heroes. The winning team also earns a title in the race to secure the $1 million Intel® Grand Slam V. With a lot at stake, including one of the most iconic esports trophies, only the six best teams will face off in front of a roaring crowd.
Schedule and Format
Stage 1 (January 29–31):
- Features 16 teams competing for eight spots in Stage 2.
- The first stage will be a double-elimination bracket.
- All matches are best-of-three
Stage 2 (February 1–4):
- The top eight teams from Stage 1 and 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 (February 7–9):
- Played in a single-elimination format.
- The Quarterfinals and Semifinals will be best-of-three.
- The Grand Final will be best-of-five.
Teams Attending
IEM Katowice 2025, the pinnacle of the EPT for Counter-Strike, will feature a star-studded lineup of the world’s best squad, ready to deliver edge-of-your-seat moments and thrilling action to viewers and fans worldwide. For the first time in the history of IEM Katowice, the tournament will include an all women’s team – Imperial fe. With their dominant performance over the years, including eight ESL Impact trophies that solidified their status as undefeated ESL Impact Champions, Imperial fe now has the opportunity to make history on one of Counter-Strike’s biggest stages.
The full IEM Katowice lineup includes:
Talent Line-up
Get ready for an electrifying week of Counter-Strike action at IEM Katowice, guided by the most renowned voices in esports. From in-depth analysis in the newly upgraded studio to iconic play-by-play commentary that brings the biggest moments to life, this year’s talent roster guarantees an unforgettable audio experience.
Presenters:
- stunna
- Freya
- Sjokz
- Banks
Stage Host:
- OJ
In-Arena Host:
- Iain Chambers
Pundits:
- pimp
- ynk
- steel
- Kassad
- moses
Casters:
- dinko
- spunj
- machine
- harry
- hugo
- Scrawny
- Launders
With this world-class line-up, IEM Katowice will keep you on the edge of your seat, offering expert insights and unforgettable commentary as the tournament unfolds.
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 Spodek Arena on February 7–9 can also look forward to a wide variety of on-site activities*:
- Held in conjunction with IEM Katowice 2025, the free-to-enter IEM Expo offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of on-site activities, including trying out the latest gaming technology and participating in sponsor activations for a chance to win prizes.
- At the Intel® booth, fans are invited to try out the latest games and hardware, participate in activities, and get their idols’ signatures
- 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.
- 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.
Where to Watch
The live broadcast will be available on FACEIT Watch, featuring a unique multi-perspective view selector where users can watch up to four players’ perspectives, including the main tournament stream. It enables viewers to pause and rewind, with access to killcams and live-generated replays of key moments. The platform also allows fans to adjust the volume of casters and multi-perspective sounds, as well as disabling spoilers, letting them personalize how they engage with the streaming content. Additionally, those tuning in via FACEIT Watch will have an opportunity to win a selection of valuable skins each day.
Additionally, you can 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 Katowice 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.
