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Intel Extreme Masters

Adapted from Wikipedia · Discoverer experience

A stage set up for the Intel Extreme Masters esports tournament in Kraków, Poland.

The Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) is a series of international esports tournaments held in countries around the world. These events are organized by the Electronic Sports League and sponsored by Intel. As of 2025, the main game featured in IEM tournaments is Counter-Strike 2, although in the past, other popular games like StarCraft II and League of Legends were also included.

The IEM series is owned by the Savvy Games Group and has run for 17 seasons as of 2023. The biggest tournaments, called Masters Championships, take place in the summer in Cologne, Germany, and in the new year in Poland. These top events offer the largest prize money. In addition to the Championships, there are many other IEM tournaments held in cities all over the world, such as Dallas, Shanghai, and Sydney.

History

Intel Extreme Masters Katowice 2013

The Intel Extreme Masters started as a big idea from ESL. In 2006, Intel helped create a worldwide tournament after seeing success in Europe. By 2007, the tournament grew to include many smaller events leading to a big final at CeBIT. From 2008 on, players from Europe, North America, and Asia joined in.

At first, only Counter-Strike 1.6 was played, but more games were added over time. By Season 5, there were four different games to enjoy. World of Warcraft was part of the games for a while but was not included in Season 5. The Season 5 Finals at CeBIT offered a big prize pool of US$130,000 for the winners.

IEM seasons

Season I

Season II

Season III

Season IV

Season V

Season VI

Season VII

Season VIII

Intel Extreme Masters Season VIII

Season IX

Intel Extreme Masters Season IX

Season X

Intel Extreme Masters Season X

Season XI

Intel Extreme Masters Season XI

Season XII

Fan Expo at Intel Extreme Masters Toronto 2014

See also: Intel Extreme Masters Season XII – Oakland

Intel Extreme Masters Season XII

Season XIII

See also: Intel Extreme Masters Season XIII – World Championship and Intel Extreme Masters Season XIII – Katowice Major 2019

Intel Extreme Masters Season XVII

Season XIV

Intel Extreme Masters Season XIV

Season XV

Intel Extreme Masters Season XV

Season XVI

Intel Extreme Masters Season XVI

Year 2022

Intel Extreme Masters 2022

Year 2023

Intel Extreme Masters 2023

Year 2024

Intel Extreme Masters 2024

Year 2025

Intel Extreme Masters 2025

Year 2026

Intel Extreme Masters 2026

EventDatesGameWinner
Los Angeles6-9 March 2008Counter-StrikeFnaticRC
Warcraft III: Reign of ChaosJune "Lyn" Park
World ChampionshipCounter-StrikeMousesports
Warcraft III: Reign of ChaosJune "Lyn" Park
EventDatesGameWinner
Games ConventionWarcraft III: Reign of ChaosNihilum Plasma
Los AngelesCounter-StrikeSK Gaming
World of Warcraftx6tence
Montreal17-19 October 2008Counter-StrikeFnatic
World of WarcraftSK Gaming
GlobalCounter-StrikeMousesports
Asian WoW13-16 November 2008Counter-Strikee-STRO
World of WarcraftH O N
Warcraft III: Reign of ChaosManuel "Grubby" Schenkhuizen
EuropeanCounter-StrikemTw
World of WarcraftiNNERFiRE
AmericanCounter-StrikeMade in Brazil
World of WarcraftTrade Chat
Asian CS1.616-18 January 2009Counter-StrikewNv Teamwork
Warcraft III: Reign of ChaosLi "Sky" Xiaofeng
World Championship3-8 March 2009Counter-Strikefnatic
World of WarcraftH O N
EventDatesGameWinner
GamesCom20-23 August 2009Counter-StrikeMousesports
Quake LiveShane "rapha" Hendrixson
World of WarcraftEnsidia
Chengdu1-3 October 2009Counter-StrikeSK Gaming
Defense of the AncientsFor The Dream (ex-LGD)
Warcraft III: Reign of ChaosLu "Fly100%" Weiliang
DubaiCounter-StrikeFnatic
Quake LiveShane "rapha" Hendrixson
EuropeanCounter-StrikeMousesports
Quake LiveAlexey "Cypher" Yanushevsky
World of WarcraftSK Gaming Sansibar
AmericanCounter-StrikecompLexity
Quake LiveTim "DaHanG" Fogarty
World of WarcraftcompLexity Black
AsianCounter-StrikeWeMade FOX
Quake LiveFan "Jibo" Zhibo
World of WarcraftButton Bashers
World Championship2-6 March 2010Counter-StrikeNatus Vincere
Quake LiveShane "rapha" Hendrixson
World of WarcraftEvil Geniuses
EventDatesGameWinner
ShanghaiCounter-Strikefnatic
Warcraft III: The Frozen ThroneJune "Lyn" Park
Defense of the AncientsEHOME
CologneStarCraft IIStefan "MorroW" Andersson — Mousesports
Quake Livek1llsen
AmericanCounter-StrikecompLexity
Quake LiveShane "rapha" Hendrixson
StarCraft IIJian "Fenix" Morayra Alejo — fnatic
EuropeanCounter-Strikefnatic
Quake LiveAnton "Cooller" Singov
StarCraft IIJeffrey "SjoW" Brusi — Team Dignitas
World Championship1-5 March 2011Counter-StrikeNatus Vincere
Quake LiveShane "rapha" Hendrixson
StarCraft IIJung "AcE" Woo-Seo — Team StarTale
League of Legends InvitationalmyRevenge
EventDatesGameWinner
CologneLeague of LegendsCounter Logic Gaming
StarCraft IILee "PuMa" Ho-Joon — Evil Geniuses
GuangzhouLeague of LegendsWorld Elite
StarCraft IIGreg "IdrA" Fields — Evil Geniuses
Counter-Strikefnatic
New York CityLeague of Legendsfnatic
StarCraft IIPark "DongRaeGu" Soo-Ho — Complexity Gaming & Team MvP
Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveSK Gaming
KyivLeague of LegendsMoscow 5
StarCraft IIMoon "MMA" Sung-Won — Team SlayerS
Counter-StrikeNatus Vincere
São PauloStarCraft IIKim "viOLet" Dong-Hwan — Team Empire
World Championship6-10 March 2012League of LegendsMoscow 5
StarCraft IIJang "MC" Min-Chul— SK Gaming
Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveESC Gaming
EventDatesGameWinner
GamescomLeague of LegendsMoscow Five
StarCraft IIJung "Mvp" Jong-Hyun — Incredible Miracle
SingaporeLeague of LegendsMeetYourMakers
StarCraft IIJu "Sting" Hoon — Western Wolves
CologneLeague of LegendsSK Telecom T1
KatowiceLeague of LegendsGambit Gaming (ex-M5)
StarCraft IIKang "First" Hyun-Woo — Incredible Miracle
BrazilLeague of LegendsIncredible Miracle
World ChampionshipLeague of LegendsCJ Entus Blaze
StarCraft IIChoi "YoDa" Byung-Hyun — Incredible Miracle
EventDatesGameWinnerRunner-up
Shanghai25–28 July 2013League of LegendsTeam WEInvictus Gaming
StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmRevivalOz
New York10–13 October 2013StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmLifeNaNiwa
Cologne23–24 November 2013League of Legends (Pro)Gambit GamingFnatic
League of Legends (Amateur)Copenhagen WolvesNinjas in Pyjamas
Singapore28 November – 1 December 2013League of LegendsInvictus GamingCJ Entus Frost
StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmherOsan
São Paulo28 January – 1 February 2014League of LegendsMilleniumpaiN Gaming
StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmherOMC
Cologne13–16 February 2014StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmHerOPolt
World Championship
Katowice		13–16 March 2014
Hearthstone: Heroes of WarcraftGnimshArtosis
League of LegendsKT Rolster BulletsFnatic
StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmsOsherO
EventDatesGameWinnerRunner-up
Shenzhen16–20 July 2014Hearthstone: Heroes of WarcraftAmazAzeri
League of LegendsTeam WEEDward Gaming
StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmTaeJaSolar
Toronto28–31 August 2014StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmFlashZest
San Jose6–7 December 2014League of LegendsCloud9Unicorns of Love
StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmherORain
Cologne18–21 December 2014League of LegendsGambit GamingCounter Logic Gaming
Taipei28 January – 1 February 2015League of Legendsyoe Flash WolvesTaipei Assassins
StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmLifeMaru
World Championship
Katowice		12–15 March 2015Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveFnaticNinjas in Pyjamas
League of LegendsTeam SoloMidTeam WE
StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmZestTrap
EventDatesGameWinnerRunner-up
Shenzhen16–20 July 2015Heroes of the StormMVP BlackVirtus.pro
StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmClassicPartinG
Gamescom5–9 August 2015Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveTeam EnVyUsTeam SoloMid
StarCraft II: Heart of the SwarmINnoVationsoO
San Jose21–22 November 2015Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveNatus VincereTeam SoloMid
League of LegendsOrigenCounter Logic Gaming
Cologne18–20 December 2015League of LegendsESC EverQiao Gu Reapers
Taipei29 January – 2 February 2016Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveThe MongolZRenegades
StarCraft II: Legacy of the VoidsOsByuN
World Championship
Katowice		4–6 March 2016Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveFnaticLuminosity Gaming
League of LegendsSK Telecom T1Fnatic
StarCraft II: Legacy of the VoidPoltSnute
EventDatesGameWinnerRunner-up
Shanghai28–31 July 2016StarCraft II: Legacy of the VoiduThermalNeeb
Oakland19–20 November 2016Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveNinjas in PyjamasSK Gaming
League of LegendsUnicorns Of LoveFlash Wolves
Gyeonggi17–18 December 2016League of LegendsSamsung GalaxyKongdoo Monster
OverwatchLuxuryWatch RedLunatic-Hai
StarCraft II: Legacy of the VoidINnoVationStats
World Championship
Katowice		25–26 February & 3–5 March 2017Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveAstralisFaZe Clan
League of LegendsFlash WolvesG2 Esports
StarCraft II: Legacy of the VoidTYStats
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
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds*aAa* GamingTempo Storm
PyeongChang5–7 February 2018Starcraft 2ScarlettsOs
Katowice2–4 March 2018Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveFnaticFaZe Clan
Starcraft 2RogueClassic
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
StarCraft IIsoOStatsUS$400,000
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
StarCraft IIRogueZestUS$400,000
EventVenueDatesGameChampionRunner-upPrize Pool
Global Challenge
Online
15 – 20 December 2020Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveAstralisTeam LiquidUS$500,000
World Championship16 – 28 February 2021Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveGambit EsportsVirtus.proUS$1,000,000
StarCraft IIReynorZestUS$250,000
Melbourne17 – 22 August 2021Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Cancelled
US$250,000
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
StarCraft IISerralReynorUS$500,000
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 MajorJeunesse Arena31 October – 13 November 2022Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveOutsidersHeroicUS$1,250,000
KatowiceSpodek Arena31 January – 12 February 2023Counter-Strike: Global OffensiveG2 EsportsHeroicUS$1,000,000
StarCraft IIOliveiraMaruUS$500,000
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
EventVenueDatesGameChampionRunner-upPrize Pool
KatowiceSpodek Arena3 - 11 February 2024Counter-Strike 2Team SpiritFaZe ClanUS$1,000,000
StarCraft 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
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
EventVenueDatesGameChampionRunner-upPrize Pool
KrakówTauron Arena Kraków27 January – 8 February 2026Counter-Strike 2Team VitalityFuria EsportsUS$1,250,000
RioFarmasi Arena14 April – 19 April 2026Counter-Strike 2Team VitalityTeam SpiritUS$1,000,000
AtlantaGeorgia World Congress Center11 May – 15 May 2026Counter-Strike 2Natus VincereGamerLegionUS$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

The Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) uses offline qualifiers to decide who gets to compete in the finals. During Season 5, these qualifiers took place in North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Players who qualify are split into two groups of six. The top two players from each group move on. The first-place player from each group goes straight to the semifinals, while the second and third-place players compete in the quarterfinals.

Organisation

The Intel Extreme Masters are organized by the ESL, which is part of the ESL FACEIT Group. This group is owned by the Savvy Games Group, based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Savvy Games Group is owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund.

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This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Intel Extreme Masters, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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