A new pilgrimage at the Cathedral of Counter-Strike.
Get ready to watch intense battles at the “Cathedral of Counter-Strike” as the Intel Extreme Masters Cologne 2024 (IEM Cologne 2024) pits the best Counter-Strike 2 teams in the world.
This year, the legendary Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany once again serves as the stage for elite squads across the globe, with a passionate crowd roaring in the stands.
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Here’s all you need to know about the iconic tournament.
What is IEM Cologne 2024?
This year’s IEM Cologne marks the first time that the premier tournament is played on Counter-Strike 2.
The competition features the world’s 24 best teams vying for the largest share of the whopping US$1 million prize pool and 7,000 BLAST Premier points.
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The champion also qualifies for the BLAST Premier World Final this year and the IEM Katowice 2025.
Matches take place on a LAN within the massive Lanxess Arena in Cologne. This impressive venue can seat nearly 20,000 fans, creating an electric atmosphere for the players and spectators.
IEM Cologne 2024 format
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The competition is divided into three stages: play-in, group stage, and playoffs.
Sixteen teams clash in a double elimination bracket. Opening games are best-of-one while the remaining matches are best-of-three.
The top eight squads join the eight directly invited teams in the group stage.
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In the group stage, the 16 teams are divided into two double elimination GSL groups. They compete in best-of-three matches, with the top three teams from each group advancing to the single elimination playoffs.
The group winners advance directly to the semifinals, while the runners-up and third-place teams go into the quarterfinals as high and low seeds respectively.
Quarterfinal and semifinal matches are best-of-three, while the grand final is a best-of-five series.
IEM Cologne 2024 schedule
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The tournament takes place from August 7 to 18, 2024.
IEM COLOGNE 2024 STAGE | SCHEDULE |
Play-in | August 7-9 |
Group stage | August 10-13 |
Playoffs | August 16-18 |
IEM Cologne 2024 teams
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Directly qualified teams
IEM COLOGNE 2024 TEAMS | QUALIFICATION |
Team Spirit | IEM Katowice 2024 champion |
FaZe Clan | IEM Chengdu 2024 champion |
MOUZ | ESL Pro League Season 19 champion |
G2 Esports | IEM Dallas 2024 champion |
Team Vitality | ESL World Ranking |
Natus Vincere | ESL World Ranking |
Astralis | ESL World Ranking |
Virtus.pro | ESL World Ranking |
Play-in teams
IEM COLOGNE 2024 PLAY-IN TEAMS | QUALIFICATION |
HEROIC | ESL World Ranking (Europe) |
Eternal Fire | ESL World Ranking (Europe) |
Team Falcons | ESL World Ranking (Europe) |
Complexity Gaming | ESL World Ranking (North America) |
9z Globant | ESL World Ranking (South America) |
The MongolZ | ESL World Ranking (Asia) |
FlyQuest | ESL World Ranking (Oceania) |
Team Liquid | ESL World Ranking |
Imperial Esports | ESL World Ranking |
FURIA Esports | ESL World Ranking |
BIG | ESL World Ranking |
BetBoom Team | ESL World Ranking |
paiN Gaming | ESL World Ranking |
MIBR | ESL World Ranking |
SAW | ESL World Ranking |
ALTERNATE aTTaX | German Qualifier |
IEM Cologne 2024 prize distribution
PLACE | TEAM | PRIZE MONEY | BLAST PREMIER POINTS |
Champion | TBD | US$400,00 | 3,000 |
2nd | TBD | US$180,000 | 2,000 |
3rd-4th | TBD TBD |
US$80,000 | 1,200 |
5th-6th | TBD TBD |
US$40,000 | 500 |
7th-8th | TBD TBD |
US$24,000 | 300 |
9th-12th | TBD TBD TBD TBD |
US$16,000 | 0 |
13th-16th | TBD TBD TBD TBD |
US$10,000 | 0 |
17th-20th | TBD TBD TBD TBD |
US$4,500 | 0 |
21st-24th | TBD TBD TBD TBD |
US$2,500 | 0 |
Where to watch IEM Cologne 2024
All matches are streamed live on the official ESL Counter-Strike channels and Intel Extreme Masters website.
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