The Intel Extreme Masters (IEM ) is a series of international esports tournaments held in countries around the world. These Electronic Sports League (ESL) sanctioned events, sponsored by Intel , as of 2025[update] currently host events in Counter-Strike 2 . Other game titles were hosted in the past, including StarCraft II and League of Legends .[ 1] The body that owns the league is Savvy Games Group . The League has operated 17 seasons as of 2023[update] . The highest tier of events, known as Masters Championships, are held in the summer in Cologne , Germany and in the new year in Poland, offering the most prize money.[ 1] Other events, known as Masters events, are held in numerous cities around the globe, which have included Dallas , Shanghai and Sydney .[ 1]
A view of the crowd during Intel Extreme Masters Katowice 2013 Intel Extreme Masters Katowice 2013
The Intel Extreme Masters are a product of the ESL. In 2006, when the Intel sponsored European tournament saw room for expansion outside of Europe, especially in North American markets, Intel provided funds for a worldwide tournament, billing it as the Intel Extreme Masters.[ 2] In 2007, when established, the IEM established a format of many smaller qualifying events, leading up to a large final event that is held at CeBIT . All of the Grand Finals have been held at CeBIT. Starting in 2008, the Tournament was billed as being worldwide, boasting participants from Europe, North America, and Asia.[ 2] Although Counterstrike 1.6 was the only game offered in the first season, the variety of games has increased greatly, to the four that were offered during Season 5. World of Warcraft was offered during Season 4, but was dropped for Season 5. The Season 5 Finals will be held at CeBIT and will included a US$ 130,000 prize pool.[ 3]
Games offered in Intel Extreme Masters: Counter-Strike (Seasons 1–6), Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos and Warcraft 3: The Frozen Throne (Seasons 1–2, 3: Asian Championship Finals — CS1.6 and Asian Championship Finals — WoW, 4: Global Challenge Chengdu, 5: Global Challenge Shanghai), World of Warcraft (Seasons 2: Global Challenge Dreamhack, 3–4), Quake Live (Seasons 4–5), StarCraft II (Seasons 5–6), League of Legends (LoL) (Seasons 5: World Championship (LoL Invitational), 6)
A large crowd at the Fan Expo at Intel Extreme Masters Toronto 2014 Fan Expo at Intel Extreme Masters Toronto 2014
Intel Extreme Masters Season VIII
Intel Extreme Masters Season IX
Intel Extreme Masters Season X
Intel Extreme Masters Season XI
[ 48]
Intel Extreme Masters Season XII
[ 53]
Intel Extreme Masters Season XVII
Intel Extreme Masters Season XIV
Intel Extreme Masters Season XV
Event
Venue
Dates
Game
Champion
Runner-up
Prize Pool
Global Challenge
Online
15 – 20 December 2020
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Astralis
Team Liquid
US$500,000
World Championship
16 – 28 February 2021
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Gambit Esports
Virtus.pro
US$1,000,000
StarCraft II
Reynor
Zest
US$250,000
Melbourne
17 – 22 August 2021
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Cancelled
US$250,000
Intel Extreme Masters Season XVI
Intel Extreme Masters 2022
Intel Extreme Masters 2023
Intel Extreme Masters 2024
Intel Extreme Masters 2025
Event
Venue
Dates
Game
Champion
Runner-up
Prize Pool
Katowice
Spodek Arena
29 January – 9 February 2025
Counter-Strike 2
Team Vitality
Team Spirit
US$1,250,000
Melbourne
Rod Laver Arena
21 – 27 April 2025
Counter-Strike 2
Team Vitality
Team Falcons
US$1,000,000
Dallas
Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center
19 – 25 May 2025
Counter-Strike 2
Team Vitality
MOUZ
US$1,000,000
Cologne
Lanxess Arena
23 July – 3 August 2025
Counter-Strike 2
Team Spirit
MOUZ
US$1,000,000
Chengdu
Chengdu Financial City Performance Center
3 – 9 November 2025
Counter-Strike 2
FURIA
Team Vitality
US$1,000,000
Intel Extreme Masters 2026
IEM utilizes a fair number of offline qualifiers. During Season 5, qualifiers were held for North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia regions.[ 63] Those who qualify for the finals are placed into two groups of six, of which the top two advance. The first place member of each group goes directly to the semifinals, and the second and third place members go into the quarterfinals.[ 64]
The Intel Extreme Masters are run by the ESL, part of the ESL FACEIT Group which is owned by Savvy Games Group . Savvy Games Group is based in Riyadh , Saudi Arabia and is owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF).
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