By Sagar V. Mankar Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Katowice 2024 kicks off this week with 24 of the world’s top teams battling for supremacy and a share of the massive $1 million prize pool.
This marks the first time a European CS:GO tournament has boasted a seven-figure prize pool since Counter-Strike 2 was released last September.
The inflated winnings have attracted tier-one teams from across the globe, including Polish favorites Virtus.pro and Rebels Gaming, along with international powerhouses like FaZe Clan, Team Vitality and NA’s Cloud9.
But who will claim Counter-Strike glory and walk away with the monster $400k first place prize?
Let’s break down the teams, schedule and format so you’re ready for the action.
Play-In Stage Sees Underdogs Battle for Survival
- 16 teams in a double-elimination bracket.
- Opening matche – best-of-one.
- Rest – best-of-three.
- Only top eight teams will advance
The Play-In stage kicks off on January 31st as 16 teams face off in a double elimination bracket.
- The Mongolz
- Cloud9
- HEROIC
- Virtus.pro
- M80
- Rooster
- FURIA Esports
- Apeks
- Astralis
- BIG
- BB
- ENCE
- Eternal Fire
- GamerLegion
- Team Spirit
- Rebels Gaming
Minnows like Mongolz, Rooster and M80 will scrap to stay alive in best-of-one opening matches.
Winners progress but losing teams drop to the lower bracket where it’s do-or-die in best-of-three affairs.
The Play-In phase gives underdogs a shot at CS2 stardom.
But they’ll need to overcome top 16 rivals like Astralis, BIG and Heroic to secure a coveted spot in the Group Stage.
Eight Play-In survivors earn promotion into the tournament proper.
Who will sink and who will swim when the Play-In carnage concludes on February 2nd?
Group Stage Features Elite Teams and Intriguing Storylines
- Two groups of eight teams
- double-elimination brackets.
- Best-of-three.
- Only top three teams from each group will advance
- Group Stage winners advance directly to the semifinals while runners-up to the quarterfinals as the High Seeds and second runnerup to the quarterfinals as the Low Seeds
The main event begins February 3rd as the eight Play-In grads join eight invited teams in the Group Stage.
- G2 Esports
- MOUZ
- FaZe Clan
- Complexity
- Natus Vincere
- Monte
- Team Falcons
- Team Vitality
No easy games here as two groups of eight elite franchises collide, including ex-major champions like Natus Vincere and Team Vitality.
Again, it’s double elimination rules.
But matches extend to best-of-three, providing a thorough test of skill and endurance.
Can Polish heroes Virtus.pro and Rebels Gaming break into the top tier? How will NA’s Cloud9 and Complexity fare on European soil?
But the spotlight falls brightest on FaZe Clan.
The star-studded lineup finally clicked in late 2022 and claimed IEM Sydney.
Katowice shapes up as a true yardstick to measure if the firepower of coldzera, broky and co. can consistently challenge for titles.
Six Emerge for Climax at Spodek Arena
- The top six teams
- a single-elimination bracket
- The quarterfinals and semifinals – best-of-three
- The Grand Final – a best-of-five
The tournament sharpens into a six team showdown at Katowice’s iconic Spodek Arena from February 9th-11th.
Quarter-final and semi-final battles whittle the field down to two title contenders in best-of-three fashion.
The grand final sees a classic best-of-five matchup with the champion walking away with $400,000 and a place at IEM Cologne 2024.
The victor also moves one step closer to securing the $1 million Intel Grand Slam Season V prize.
Of course, the Spodek Arena promises a furnace-like atmosphere with Polish fans sure to pack the 11,500-seat stadium.
IEM Katowice Shapes as First CS:GO Major of 2024
While Katowice lacks official major status, the stellar lineup of teams and hefty $1 million prize pool make this the first must-watch Counter-Strike event of 2024.
- 1st: $400,000
- 2nd: $180,000
- 3rd-4th: $80,000
- 5-6th: $40,000
- 7-8th: $24,000
- 9-12th: $16,000
- 13-16th: $10,000
- 17-20th: $4,500
- 21st-24th: $2,500
With squads finalizing their rosters and identity, it’s a precious chance to benchmark the hierarchy as we build towards the next major.
The event will be broadcast live on the ESL Counter-Strike Twice and YouTube channels.
IEM Katowice will also include a $500,000 standalone Starcraft II competition, with $150,000 going to the winners.
The 24-team event will again feature the IEM Expo from Feb. 8-11.