Intel Extreme Masters


The Intel Extreme Masters is a series of international esports tournaments held in countries around the world. These Electronic Sports League sanctioned events, sponsored by Intel, currently host events in Counter-Strike 2. Other game titles were hosted in the past, including StarCraft II and League of Legends. The body that owns the league is Savvy Games Group. The League has operated 17 seasons. 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. Other events, known as Masters events, are held in numerous cities around the globe, which have included Dallas, Shanghai and Sydney.

History

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. 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. 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 prize pool.
Games offered in Intel Extreme Masters: Counter-Strike, Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos and Warcraft 3: The Frozen Throne, World of Warcraft, Quake Live, StarCraft II, League of Legends

IEM seasons

Season II

EventDatesGameWinner
Los Angeles6-9 March 2008Counter-StrikeFnaticRC
Los Angeles6-9 March 2008Warcraft III: Reign of ChaosJune "Lyn" Park
World Championship6-9 March 2008Counter-StrikeMousesports
World Championship6-9 March 2008Warcraft III: Reign of ChaosJune "Lyn" Park

Season VII

EventDatesGameWinner
GamescomLeague of LegendsMoscow Five
GamescomStarCraft IIJung "Mvp" Jong-Hyun — Incredible Miracle
SingaporeLeague of LegendsMeetYourMakers
SingaporeStarCraft IIJu "Sting" Hoon — Western Wolves
CologneLeague of LegendsSK Telecom T1-
KatowiceLeague of LegendsGambit Gaming
KatowiceStarCraft IIKang "First" Hyun-Woo — Incredible Miracle
BrazilLeague of LegendsIncredible Miracle
World ChampionshipLeague of LegendsCJ Entus Blaze
World ChampionshipStarCraft IIChoi "YoDa" Byung-Hyun — Incredible Miracle

Season VIII

EventDatesGameWinnerRunner-up
Shanghai25–28 July 2013League of LegendsTeam WEInvictus Gaming
Shanghai25–28 July 2013StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmRevivalOz
New York10–13 October 2013StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmLifeNaNiwa
Cologne23–24 November 2013League of Legends Gambit GamingFnatic
Cologne23–24 November 2013League of Legends Copenhagen WolvesNinjas in Pyjamas
Singapore28 November – 1 December 2013League of LegendsInvictus GamingCJ Entus Frost
Singapore28 November – 1 December 2013StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmherOsan
São Paulo28 January – 1 February 2014League of LegendsMilleniumpaiN Gaming
São Paulo28 January – 1 February 2014StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmherOMC
Cologne13–16 February 2014StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmHerOPolt
World Championship
Katowice		13–16 March 2014----
World Championship
Katowice		13–16 March 2014Hearthstone: Heroes of WarcraftGnimshArtosis
World Championship
Katowice		13–16 March 2014League of LegendsKT Rolster BulletsFnatic
World Championship
Katowice		13–16 March 2014StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmsOsherO

Season IX

EventDatesGameWinnerRunner-up
Shenzhen16–20 July 2014Hearthstone: Heroes of WarcraftAmazAzeri
Shenzhen16–20 July 2014League of LegendsTeam WEEDward Gaming
Shenzhen16–20 July 2014StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmTaeJaSolar
Toronto28–31 August 2014StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmFlashZest
San Jose6–7 December 2014League of LegendsCloud9Unicorns of Love
San Jose6–7 December 2014StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmherORain
Cologne18–21 December 2014League of LegendsGambit GamingCounter Logic Gaming
Taipei28 January – 1 February 2015League of Legends[Flash Wolves|yoe Flash Wolves]Taipei Assassins
Taipei28 January – 1 February 2015StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmLifeMaru
World Championship
Katowice		12–15 March 2015Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveFnaticNinjas in Pyjamas
World Championship
Katowice		12–15 March 2015League of LegendsTeam SoloMidTeam WE
World Championship
Katowice		12–15 March 2015StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmZestTrap

Season X

EventDatesGameWinnerRunner-up
Shenzhen16–20 July 2015Heroes of the StormMVP BlackVirtus.pro
Shenzhen16–20 July 2015StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmClassicPartinG
Gamescom5–9 August 2015Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveTeam EnVyUsTeam SoloMid
Gamescom5–9 August 2015StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmINnoVationsoO
San Jose21–22 November 2015Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveNatus VincereTeam SoloMid
San Jose21–22 November 2015League of LegendsOrigenCounter Logic Gaming
Cologne18–20 December 2015League of LegendsESC EverQiao Gu Reapers
Taipei29 January – 2 February 2016Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveThe MongolZRenegades
Taipei29 January – 2 February 2016StarCraft II: Legacy of the VoidsOsByuN
World Championship
Katowice		4–6 March 2016Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveFnaticLuminosity Gaming
World Championship
Katowice		4–6 March 2016League of LegendsSK Telecom T1Fnatic
World Championship
Katowice		4–6 March 2016StarCraft II: Legacy of the VoidPoltSnute

Season XI

EventDatesGameWinnerRunner-up
Shanghai28–31 July 2016StarCraft II: Legacy of the VoiduThermalNeeb
Oakland19–20 November 2016Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveNinjas in PyjamasSK Gaming
Oakland19–20 November 2016League of LegendsUnicorns Of LoveFlash Wolves
Gyeonggi17–18 December 2016League of LegendsSamsung GalaxyKongdoo Monster
Gyeonggi17–18 December 2016OverwatchLuxuryWatch RedLunatic-Hai
Gyeonggi17–18 December 2016StarCraft II: Legacy of the VoidINnoVationStats
World Championship
Katowice		25–26 February & 3–5 March 2017Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveAstralisFaZe Clan
World Championship
Katowice		25–26 February & 3–5 March 2017League of LegendsFlash WolvesG2 Esports
World Championship
Katowice		25–26 February & 3–5 March 2017StarCraft II: Legacy of the VoidTYStats

Season XII

EventDatesGameWinnerRunner-up
Sydney6–7 May 2017Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveSK GamingFaZe Clan
Shanghai27–30 July 2017Starcraft 2RogueherO
Oakland18–19 November 2017Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveNinjas in PyjamasFaZe Clan
Oakland18–19 November 2017PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds*aAa* GamingTempo Storm-
PyeongChang5–7 February 2018Starcraft 2ScarlettsOs-
Katowice2–4 March 2018Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveFnaticFaZe Clan
Katowice2–4 March 2018Starcraft 2RogueClassic-

Season XIII

EventVenueDatesGameChampionRunner-upPrize Pool
SydneyQudos Bank Arena1 - 6 May 2018Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveFaze ClanAstralisUS$250,000
ShanghaiShanghai New International Expo Center1 - 6 August 2018Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveNRG EsportsTYLOOUS$250,000
ChicagoJeunesse Arena6 - 11 November 2018Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveAstralisTeam LiquidUS$250,000
World ChampionshipSpodek Arena13 February - 3 March 2019Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveAstralisENCEUS$1,000,000
World ChampionshipSpodek Arena13 February - 3 March 2019StarCraft IIsoOStatsUS$400,000

Season XIV

EventVenueDatesGameChampionRunner-upPrize Pool
SydneyQudos Bank Arena29 April – 5 May 2019Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveTeam LiquidFnaticUS$250,000
ChicagoUnited Center18 – 21 July 2019Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveTeam LiquidENCEUS$250,000
BeijingBeijing University Students' Stadium7 – 10 November 2019Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveAstralis100 ThievesUS$250,000
World ChampionshipSpodek Arena24 February – 1 March 2020Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveNatus VincereG2 EsportsUS$500,000
World ChampionshipSpodek Arena24 February – 1 March 2020StarCraft IIRogueZestUS$400,000

Season XVI

EventVenueDatesGameChampionRunner-upPrize Pool
SummerOnline3 – 13 June 2021Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveGambit EsportsOGUS$250,000
CologneLanxess Arena6 – 18 July 2021Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveNatus VincereG2 EsportsUS$1,000,000
WinterQuality Hotel™ Globe2 – 12 December 2021Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveTeam VitalityNinjas in PyjamasUS$250,000
KatowiceSpodek Arena15 – 22 February 2022Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveFaZe ClanG2 EsportsUS$1,000,000
KatowiceSpodek Arena15 – 22 February 2022StarCraft IISerralReynorUS$500,000

Year 2022

EventVenueDatesGameChampionRunner-upPrize Pool
DallasKay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center30 May – 5 June 2022Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveCloud9ENCEUS$250,000
CologneLanxess Arena5 – 17 July 2022Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveFaZe ClanNatus VincereUS$1,000,000
Rio Major 2022|Rio Major]Jeunesse Arena31 October – 13 November 2022Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveOutsidersHeroicUS$1,250,000
KatowiceSpodek Arena31 January – 12 February 2023Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveG2 EsportsHeroicUS$1,000,000
KatowiceSpodek Arena31 January – 12 February 2023StarCraft IIOliveiraMaruUS$500,000

Year 2023

EventVenueDatesGameChampionRunner-upPrize Pool
KatowiceSpodek Arena4 - 12 February 2023Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveG2 EsportsHeroicUS$1,000,000
RioJeunesse Arena17 – 23 April 2023Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveTeam VitalityHeroicUS$250,000
DallasKay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center29 May – 4 June 2023Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveENCEMOUZUS$250,000
CologneLanxess Arena25 July – 6 August 2023Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveG2 EsportsENCEUS$1,000,000
SydneyAware Super Theater16 – 22 October 2023Counter-Strike 2FaZe ClanComplexity GamingUS$250,000

Year 2024

EventVenueDatesGameChampionRunner-upPrize Pool
KatowiceSpodek Arena3 - 11 February 2024Counter-Strike 2Team SpiritFaZe ClanUS$1,000,000
KatowiceSpodek Arena3 - 11 February 2024StarCraft IISerralMaruUS$500,000
ChengduChengdu Performing Arts Center8 – 14 April 2024Counter-Strike 2FaZe ClanMOUZUS$250,000
DallasKay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center27 May – 2 June 2024Counter-Strike 2G2 EsportsTeam VitalityUS$250,000
CologneLanxess Arena7 – 18 August 2024Counter-Strike 2Team VitalityNatus VincereUS$1,000,000
RioFarmasi Arena7 – 13 October 2024Counter-Strike 2Natus VincereMOUZUS$250,000

Year 2025

EventVenueDatesGameChampionRunner-upPrize Pool
KatowiceSpodek Arena29 January – 9 February 2025Counter-Strike 2Team VitalityTeam SpiritUS$1,250,000
MelbourneRod Laver Arena21 – 27 April 2025Counter-Strike 2Team VitalityTeam FalconsUS$1,000,000
DallasKay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center19 – 25 May 2025Counter-Strike 2Team VitalityMOUZUS$1,000,000
CologneLanxess Arena23 July – 3 August 2025Counter-Strike 2Team SpiritMOUZUS$1,000,000
ChengduChengdu Financial City Performance Center3 – 9 November 2025Counter-Strike 2FURIATeam VitalityUS$1,000,000

Year 2026

EventVenueDatesGameChampionRunner-upPrize Pool
KrakówTauron Arena Kraków27 January – 8 February 2026Counter-Strike 2US$1,250,000
RioFarmasi Arena14 April – 19 April 2026Counter-Strike 2US$1,000,000
AtlantaGeorgia World Congress Center11 May – 15 May 2026Counter-Strike 2US$1,000,000
Cologne MajorLanxess Arena2 June – 21 June 2026Counter-Strike 2US$1,250,000
ChinaTBA2 November – 8 November 2026Counter-Strike 2US$1,000,000

Format

IEM utilizes a fair number of offline qualifiers. During Season 5, qualifiers were held for North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia regions. 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.

Organisation

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.