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 I

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 III

Season IV

Season V

Season VI

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 Legendsyoe Flash WolvesTaipei 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