ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) has announced Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Melbourne 2025, a global Counter-Strike 2 tournament set to take place from 21-27 April 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. This marks the first time the IEM series will be hosted in Melbourne, following a sold-out edition in Sydney in 2023. The tournament will feature 16 of the world’s top teams competing for victory, with live playoffs held at Rod Laver Arena from 25-27 April.
The event shall begin with a group stage from 21-23 April, where 16 teams, invited based on Valve Regional Standings (VRS), will compete in double-elimination brackets. Matches in the group stage will follow a best-of-three format. The top six teams will advance to the playoffs, where the quarterfinals and semifinals will maintain the best-of-three structure, culminating in a best-of-five grand final. Teams will be invited from global and regional VRS standings, including representation from Europe, the Americas, and Asia.
Specifically, the breakdown is as follows:
Global VRS Invite (1st-10th)
Global VRS Invite (1st-10th)
Global VRS Invite (1st-10th)
Global VRS Invite (1st-10th)
Global VRS Invite (1st-10th)
Global VRS Invite (1st-10th)
Global VRS Invite (1st-10th)
Global VRS Invite (1st-10th)
Global VRS Invite (1st-10th)
Global VRS Invite (1st-10th)
Europe VRS Invite (1st-2nd)
Europe VRS Invite (1st-2nd)
Americas VRS Invite (1st-2nd)
Americas VRS Invite (1st-2nd)
Asia VRS Invite (1st-2nd)
Asia VRS Invite (1st-2nd)
Tickets will be available for purchase via Ticketek from 2 PM AEDT on 23 January 2025. Pricing tiers include:
- 3-Day General Admission (AU$189): Access to all three days, including the IEM Expo.
- 3-Day GA+ (AU$249): Includes a GA+ goodie bag in addition to general admission benefits.
- 3-Day Premium (AU$359): Offers premium allocated seating and a premium goodie bag.
- 3-Day GOD MODE (AU$1,999): Features an exclusive backstage tour, God Mode seating area, a food and beverage package, and a God Mode goodie bag.
For those unable to attend, the event will be broadcast live on FACEIT Watch, as well as on ESL Counter-Strike’s Twitch and YouTube channels.
Steve Dimopoulos, Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, commented on the significance of the event, sharing:
We’re extremely excited to have the world’s best gamers here to showcase their skills at one of the biggest esports tournaments ever seen on Australian shores. There will be an incredible atmosphere in Melbourne when competitors and fans flock here from around the world – and it’ll be a major boost for our economy to have thousands of people filling hotel rooms and visiting our world-class cafes and restaurants.
Marc Winther, Director Game Ecosystems – Counter-Strike at ESL FACEIT Group, added:
The Australian crowd consistently brings something special to our Counter-Strike events – the atmosphere in the arena is always unique, filled with energy and fun, and that comes across online as well. Fans all around the world look forward to seeing what the Aussie crowd will get up to. We’ve always wanted to bring an IEM event to Melbourne, Australia’s historic home of sport, and after an attempt in 2020 that was thwarted by a global pandemic, we are excited to finally bring the tournament to the city.
