For the first time in history, Intel® Extreme Masters (IEM) is on its way to Melbourne, Australia, to crown the next Counter-Strike champion. IEM Melbourne 2025 will pit 16 of the world’s top Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) teams against each other on April 21-27, all vying for glory and their share of $1,000,000 in total winnings. The final three days of the competition are set to take place in the sold-out Rod Laver Arena, promising unforgettable esports action to fans from around the world.
Schedule and Format
Taking place in Melbourne for the very first time, the tournament kicks off on April 21, where 16 teams—invited based on their global rankings and recent performances—will battle it out in the first stage of the competition. Only the six best teams will advance to the Playoffs for a chance to show their skills live in front of an enthusiastic Aussie crowd. Among the participants, FlyQuest will represent Australia in their attempt to secure the coveted trophy on their home turf.
Group Stage (April 21 – 23):
- Two groups of eight teams
- All matches are best-of-three
- The top three teams from each group advance to the Playoffs
- Group stage winners advance to the Semifinals
- Group stage runners-up advance to Quarterfinals as the High Seeds
- Group stage 3rd place teams advance to Quarterfinals as the Low Seeds
Playoffs (April 25 – 27):
- Played in a single-elimination format.
- The Quarterfinals and Semifinals are best-of-three.
- The Grand Final is best-of-five.
Teams Attending
- 3DMAX (Global VRS Invite)
- BIG (Global VRS Invite)
- Complexity (Global VRS Invite)
- FaZe Clan (Global VRS Invite)
- FlyQuest (Asia VRS Invite)
- GamerLegion (Global VRS Invite)
- MIBR (Global VRS Invite)
- MOUZ (Europe VRS Invite)
- Natus Vincere (Global VRS Invite)
- paiN Gaming (Americas VRS Invite)
- SAW (Global VRS Invite)
- Team Falcons (Global VRS Invite)
- Team Liquid (Americas VRS Invite)
- Team Vitality (Europe VRS Invite)
- The Mongolz (Asia VRS Invite)
- Virtus.pro (Global VRS Invite)
Prize Distribution:
| Total Winnings: $1,000,000 | ||
| Place | Player Prize Money | Club Reward |
| 1st | $125,000 | $160,000 |
| 2nd | $50,000 | $100,000 |
| 3rd-4th | $25,000 | $80,000 |
| 5th-6th | $12,500 | $60,000 |
| 7th – 8th | $7,000 | $40,000 |
| 9th – 12th | $5,000 | $20,000 |
| 13th-16th | $4,000 | – |
Broadcast Talent
The IEM Melbourne broadcast will feature a range of international talent from across the Counter-Strike world, with all talent listed below.
On-Site Activations
Those visiting the Rod Laver Arena on April 25-27 can also look forward to a wide variety of on-site activities, including:
- Australia’s largest range of esports merchandise available at the ESL Shop all weekend in the Rod Laver Arena Concourse
- The IEM Expo inside CENTREPIECE, featuring exhibitors including Intel® and DHL showcasing the latest and greatest in games, technology, and more
- The official FlyQuest booth, where fans of the team can take part in giveaways and meet-and-greets throughout the weekend
- On-site signing sessions with a number of the world’s best Counter-Strike 2 teams
The Return of ‘The Caches’, Australia’s Legendary Counter-Strike Showmatch
Returning for its fifth iteration, The Caches will be played out prior to the Grand Final of IEM Melbourne on Sunday, April 27. Featuring an international line-up of players spread across two teams – Team England and Team Australia, the showmatch is a Counter-Strike spin on the iconic Cricket series The Ashes, and has taken place at IEM’s in Australia since 2017. This year, Henry “HenryG” Greer will return to captain Team England, whilst Team Australia’s captain is still undecided, after an unexpected encounter with local wildlife from former Aussie leader Chad “SPUNJ” Burchill.
The ESL Grand Slam – Chance For An Additional $1,000,000
The ESL Grand Slam is up for grabs at IEM Melbourne, with a prize of USD 1,000,000 going to the first team to win four out of a consecutive ten ESL Pro Tour Masters or Championship tournaments. Currently leading is Team Vitality, who are one win away from securing the 7-figure prize. If Team Vitality makes it to the Grand Final of IEM Melbourne and are then toppled by a challenger, the winning team will received a USD 100,000 “Giant Killer” bonus. Read more about the ESL Grand Slam here.
Where to Watch
The live broadcast will be available on FACEIT Watch, featuring a unique multi-perspective view selector where users can watch up to four players’ perspectives, including the main tournament stream. It enables viewers to pause and rewind, with access to first-person cams and live-generated replays of key moments. The platform also allows fans to adjust the volume of casters and multi-perspective sounds, as well as disable spoilers, letting them personalize how they engage with the streaming content. Additionally, those tuning in via FACEIT Watch will have an opportunity to win a selection of valuable skins across the weekend.
Additionally, you can tune in live on ESL Counter-Strike Twitch and YouTube channels, as well as via dedicated broadcast partners. For those unable to tune in live, all matches will also be available to watch on demand via FACEIT Watch and YouTube.
For more information about IEM Melbourne 2025, and the latest updates on the event, please visit the official website
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