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Intel Extreme Masters

Series of international esports tournaments

Intel Extreme Masters

Series of international esports tournaments

FieldValue
current_season
current_season2
last_season
upcoming_season
logoIEM v2019 logo.svg
pixels
captionLogo since 2019
sportEsports
Counter-Strike
StarCraft II
founded2007
countryWorldwide
continent
championCounter-Strike: FURIA (Chengdu 2025)
StarCraft II: Joona "Serral" Sotala (Katowice 2024)
most_champsCounter-Strike: Fnatic
sponsorIntel, Acer Predator, 1xBet, Paysafecard, DHL, MTN Dew AMP Game Fuel
website

Counter-Strike StarCraft II StarCraft II: Joona "Serral" Sotala (Katowice 2024) 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, 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

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. 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.

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)

IEM seasons

Season I

EventDatesGameWinnerRefWorld Championship
15-18 March 2007Counter-StrikeTeam Pentagram
Warcraft III: Reign of ChaosYoan "ToD" Merlo

Season II

A large crowd at the Fan Expo at Intel Extreme Masters Toronto 2014
Fan Expo at Intel Extreme Masters Toronto 2014
EventDatesGameWinnerRefLos AngelesWorld Championship
6-9 March 2008Counter-StrikeFnaticRC
Warcraft III: Reign of ChaosJune "Lyn" Park
Counter-StrikeMousesports
Warcraft III: Reign of ChaosJune "Lyn" Park

Season III

EventDatesGameWinnerRefGames ConventionLos AngelesMontrealGlobalAsian WoWEuropeanAmericanAsian CS1.6World Championship
Warcraft III: Reign of ChaosNihilum Plasma
Counter-StrikeSK Gaming
World of Warcraftx6tence
17-19 October 2008Counter-StrikeFnatic
World of WarcraftSK Gaming
Counter-StrikeMousesports
13-16 November 2008Counter-Strikee-STRO
World of WarcraftH O N
Warcraft III: Reign of ChaosManuel "Grubby" Schenkhuizen
Counter-StrikemTw
World of WarcraftiNNERFiRE
Counter-StrikeMade in Brazil
World of WarcraftTrade Chat
16-18 January 2009Counter-StrikewNv Teamwork
Warcraft III: Reign of ChaosLi "Sky" Xiaofeng
3-8 March 2009Counter-Strikefnatic
World of WarcraftH O N

Season IV

EventDatesGameWinnerRefGamesComChengduDubaiEuropeanAmericanAsianWorld Championship
20-23 August 2009Counter-StrikeMousesports
Quake LiveShane "rapha" Hendrixson
World of WarcraftEnsidia
1-3 October 2009Counter-StrikeSK Gaming
Defense of the AncientsFor The Dream (ex-LGD)
Warcraft III: Reign of ChaosLu "Fly100%" Weiliang
Counter-StrikeFnatic
Quake LiveShane "rapha" Hendrixson
Counter-StrikeMousesports
Quake LiveAlexey "Cypher" Yanushevsky
World of WarcraftSK Gaming Sansibar
Counter-StrikecompLexity
Quake LiveTim "DaHanG" Fogarty
World of WarcraftcompLexity Black
Counter-StrikeWeMade FOX
Quake LiveFan "Jibo" Zhibo
World of WarcraftButton Bashers
2-6 March 2010Counter-StrikeNatus Vincere
Quake LiveShane "rapha" Hendrixson
World of WarcraftEvil Geniuses

Season V

EventDatesGameWinnerRefShanghaiCologneAmericanEuropeanWorld Championship
Counter-Strikefnatic
Warcraft III: The Frozen ThroneJune "Lyn" Park
Defense of the AncientsEHOME
StarCraft IIStefan "MorroW" Andersson — Mousesports
Quake Livek1llsen
Counter-StrikecompLexity
Quake LiveShane "rapha" Hendrixson
StarCraft IIJian "Fenix" Morayra Alejo — fnatic
Counter-Strikefnatic
Quake LiveAnton "Cooller" Singov
StarCraft IIJeffrey "SjoW" Brusi — Team Dignitas
1-5 March 2011Counter-StrikeNatus Vincere
Quake LiveShane "rapha" Hendrixson
StarCraft IIJung "AcE" Woo-Seo — Team StarTale
League of Legends InvitationalmyRevenge

Season VI

EventDatesGameWinnerRefCologneGuangzhouNew York CityKyivSão PauloWorld Championship
League of LegendsCounter Logic Gaming
StarCraft IILee "PuMa" Ho-Joon — Evil Geniuses
League of LegendsWorld Elite
StarCraft IIGreg "IdrA" Fields — Evil Geniuses
Counter-Strikefnatic
League of Legendsfnatic
StarCraft IIPark "DongRaeGu" Soo-Ho — Complexity Gaming & Team MvP
Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveSK Gaming
League of LegendsMoscow 5
StarCraft IIMoon "MMA" Sung-Won — Team SlayerS
Counter-StrikeNatus Vincere
StarCraft IIKim "viOLet" Dong-Hwan — Team Empire
6-10 March 2012League of LegendsMoscow 5
StarCraft IIJang "MC" Min-Chul— SK Gaming
Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveESC Gaming

Season VII

EventDatesGameWinnerRefGamescomSingaporeCologneKatowiceBrazilWorld Championship
League of LegendsMoscow Five
StarCraft IIJung "Mvp" Jong-Hyun — Incredible Miracle
League of LegendsMeetYourMakers
StarCraft IIJu "Sting" Hoon — Western Wolves
League of LegendsSK Telecom T1
League of LegendsGambit Gaming (ex-M5)
StarCraft IIKang "First" Hyun-Woo — Incredible Miracle
League of LegendsIncredible Miracle
League of LegendsCJ Entus Blaze
StarCraft IIChoi "YoDa" Byung-Hyun — Incredible Miracle

Season VIII

EventDatesGameWinnerRunner-upRefShanghaiNew YorkCologneSingaporeSão PauloCologneWorld Championship
Katowice
25–28 July 2013League of LegendsTeam WEInvictus Gaming
StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmRevivalOz
10–13 October 2013StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmLifeNaNiwa
23–24 November 2013League of Legends (Pro)Gambit GamingFnatic
League of Legends (Amateur)Copenhagen WolvesNinjas in Pyjamas
28 November – 1 December 2013League of LegendsInvictus GamingCJ Entus Frost
StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmherOsan
28 January – 1 February 2014League of LegendsMilleniumpaiN Gaming
StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmherOMC
13–16 February 2014StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmHerOPolt
13–16 March 2014
Hearthstone: Heroes of WarcraftGnimshArtosis
League of LegendsKT Rolster BulletsFnatic
StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmsOsherO

Season IX

Main article: Intel Extreme Masters Season IX

EventDatesGameWinnerRunner-upRefShenzhenTorontoSan JoseCologneTaipeiWorld Championship
Katowice
16–20 July 2014Hearthstone: Heroes of WarcraftAmazAzeri
League of LegendsTeam WEEDward Gaming
StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmTaeJaSolar
28–31 August 2014StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmFlashZest
6–7 December 2014League of LegendsCloud9Unicorns of Love
StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmherORain
18–21 December 2014League of LegendsGambit GamingCounter Logic Gaming
28 January – 1 February 2015League of Legendsyoe Flash WolvesTaipei Assassins
StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmLifeMaru
12–15 March 2015Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveFnaticNinjas in Pyjamas
League of LegendsTeam SoloMidTeam WE
StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmZestTrap

Season X

EventDatesGameWinnerRunner-upRefShenzhenGamescomSan JoseCologneTaipeiWorld Championship
Katowice
16–20 July 2015Heroes of the StormMVP BlackVirtus.pro
StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmClassicPartinG
5–9 August 2015Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveTeam EnVyUsTeam SoloMid
StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmINnoVationsoO
21–22 November 2015Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveNatus VincereTeam SoloMid
League of LegendsOrigenCounter Logic Gaming
18–20 December 2015League of LegendsESC EverQiao Gu Reapers
29 January – 2 February 2016Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveThe MongolZRenegades
StarCraft II: Legacy of the VoidsOsByuN
4–6 March 2016Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveFnaticLuminosity Gaming
League of LegendsSK Telecom T1Fnatic
StarCraft II: Legacy of the VoidPoltSnute

Season XI

EventDatesGameWinnerRunner-upRefShanghaiOaklandGyeonggiWorld Championship
Katowice
28–31 July 2016StarCraft II: Legacy of the VoiduThermalNeeb
19–20 November 2016Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveNinjas in PyjamasSK Gaming
League of LegendsUnicorns Of LoveFlash Wolves
17–18 December 2016League of LegendsSamsung GalaxyKongdoo Monster
OverwatchLuxuryWatch RedLunatic-Hai
StarCraft II: Legacy of the VoidINnoVationStats
25–26 February & 3–5 March 2017Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveAstralisFaZe Clan
League of LegendsFlash WolvesG2 Esports
StarCraft II: Legacy of the VoidTYStats

Season XII

EventDatesGameWinnerRunner-upRefSydneyShanghaiOaklandPyeongChangKatowice
6–7 May 2017Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveSK GamingFaZe Clan
27–30 July 2017Starcraft 2RogueherO
18–19 November 2017Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveNinjas in PyjamasFaZe Clan
PlayerUnknown's BattlegroundsaAa GamingTempo Storm
5–7 February 2018Starcraft 2ScarlettsOs
2–4 March 2018Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveFnaticFaZe Clan
Starcraft 2RogueClassic

Season XIII

EventVenueDatesGameChampionRunner-upPrize PoolSydneyShanghaiChicagoWorld Championship
Qudos Bank Arena1 - 6 May 2018Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveFaze ClanAstralisUS$250,000
Shanghai New International Expo Center1 - 6 August 2018Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveNRG EsportsTYLOOUS$250,000
Jeunesse Arena6 - 11 November 2018Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveAstralisTeam LiquidUS$250,000
Spodek Arena13 February - 3 March 2019Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveAstralisENCEUS$1,000,000
StarCraft IIsoOStatsUS$400,000

Season XIV

EventVenueDatesGameChampionRunner-upPrize PoolSydneyChicagoBeijingWorld Championship
Qudos Bank Arena29 April – 5 May 2019Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveTeam LiquidFnaticUS$250,000
United Center18 – 21 July 2019Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveTeam LiquidENCEUS$250,000
Beijing University Students' Stadium7 – 10 November 2019Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveAstralis100 ThievesUS$250,000
Spodek Arena24 February – 1 March 2020Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveNatus VincereG2 EsportsUS$500,000
StarCraft IIRogueZestUS$400,000

Season XV

EventVenueDatesGameChampionRunner-upPrize PoolGlobal ChallengeWorld ChampionshipMelbourne
15 – 20 December 2020Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveAstralisTeam LiquidUS$500,000
16 – 28 February 2021Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveGambit EsportsVirtus.proUS$1,000,000
StarCraft IIReynorZestUS$250,000
17 – 22 August 2021Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveUS$250,000

Season XVI

EventVenueDatesGameChampionRunner-upPrize PoolSummerCologneWinterKatowice
Online3 – 13 June 2021Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveGambit EsportsOGUS$250,000
Lanxess Arena6 – 18 July 2021Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveNatus VincereG2 EsportsUS$1,000,000
Quality Hotel™ Globe2 – 12 December 2021Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveTeam VitalityNinjas in PyjamasUS$250,000
Spodek Arena15 – 22 February 2022Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveFaZe ClanG2 EsportsUS$1,000,000
StarCraft IISerralReynorUS$500,000

Year 2022

EventVenueDatesGameChampionRunner-upPrize PoolDallasCologneRio MajorKatowice
Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center30 May – 5 June 2022Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveCloud9ENCEUS$250,000
Lanxess Arena5 – 17 July 2022Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveFaZe ClanNatus VincereUS$1,000,000
Jeunesse Arena31 October – 13 November 2022Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveOutsidersHeroicUS$1,250,000
Spodek Arena31 January – 12 February 2023Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveG2 EsportsHeroicUS$1,000,000
StarCraft IIOliveiraMaruUS$500,000

Year 2023

EventVenueDatesGameChampionRunner-upPrize PoolKatowiceRioDallasCologneSydney
Spodek Arena4 - 12 February 2023Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveG2 EsportsHeroicUS$1,000,000
Jeunesse Arena17 – 23 April 2023Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveTeam VitalityHeroicUS$250,000
Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center29 May – 4 June 2023Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveENCEMOUZUS$250,000
Lanxess Arena25 July – 6 August 2023Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveG2 EsportsENCEUS$1,000,000
Aware Super Theater16 – 22 October 2023Counter-Strike 2FaZe ClanComplexity GamingUS$250,000

Year 2024

EventVenueDatesGameChampionRunner-upPrize PoolKatowiceChengduDallasCologneRio
Spodek Arena3 - 11 February 2024Counter-Strike 2Team SpiritFaZe ClanUS$1,000,000
StarCraft IISerralMaruUS$500,000
Chengdu Performing Arts Center8 – 14 April 2024Counter-Strike 2FaZe ClanMOUZUS$250,000
Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center27 May – 2 June 2024Counter-Strike 2G2 EsportsTeam VitalityUS$250,000
Lanxess Arena7 – 18 August 2024Counter-Strike 2Team VitalityNatus VincereUS$1,000,000
Farmasi Arena7 – 13 October 2024Counter-Strike 2Natus VincereMOUZUS$250,000

Year 2025

EventVenueDatesGameChampionRunner-upPrize PoolKatowiceMelbourneDallasCologneChengdu
Spodek Arena29 January – 9 February 2025Counter-Strike 2Team VitalityTeam SpiritUS$1,250,000
Rod Laver Arena21 – 27 April 2025Counter-Strike 2Team VitalityTeam FalconsUS$1,000,000
Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center19 – 25 May 2025Counter-Strike 2Team VitalityMOUZUS$1,000,000
Lanxess Arena23 July – 3 August 2025Counter-Strike 2Team SpiritMOUZUS$1,000,000
Chengdu Financial City Performance Center3 – 9 November 2025Counter-Strike 2FURIATeam VitalityUS$1,000,000

Year 2026

EventVenueDatesGameChampionRunner-upPrize PoolKrakówRioAtlantaCologne MajorChina
Tauron Arena Kraków27 January – 8 February 2026Counter-Strike 2US$1,250,000
Farmasi Arena14 April – 19 April 2026Counter-Strike 2US$1,000,000
Georgia World Congress Center11 May – 15 May 2026Counter-Strike 2US$1,000,000
Lanxess Arena2 June – 21 June 2026Counter-Strike 2US$1,250,000
TBA2 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 (PIF).

References

References

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  2. (11 September 2008). "INTEL极限大师赛亚洲总决赛落户成都". Sina.
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  4. (2022-07-05). "L'histoire des Intel Extreme Masters et de Cologne sur CSGO".
  5. "ToD announces retirement".
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