Intel Extreme Masters Cologne 2025 at a Glance

In the coming days, Cologne will once again host a major esports event. IEM Cologne 2025 will bring together some of the world's best Counter-Strike 2 teams for one of the most iconic esports events.

From 23 July to 3 August, IEM Cologne 2025 will bring together 24 of the world's best CS2 teams, who will compete for a share of the $1,250,000 prize pool, as well as the chance to secure the $1 million ESL Grand Slam VI and the coveted championship trophy.

The final three days of the tournament will see the top six teams battle it out at the sold-out Lanxess Arena in front of thousands of fans. This year's edition is even more special as ESL is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Stage 1, which takes place from 23 to 25 July, features 16 teams competing for eight places in Stage 2. This stage is played in a double-elimination bracket. All matches are best of three. During Stage 2 (26 to 29 July), the top eight teams from Stage 1 and the eight teams that qualified directly are split into two groups of eight. These groups compete in a double-elimination format. All matches are best-of-three. The top three teams from each group advance to the playoffs. The group stage winners advance to the semi-finals. The group stage's second- and third-place teams advance to the quarter-finals. The Playoffs, played in a single-elimination format, take place from 1 to 3 August. The quarter-finals and semi-finals are best-of-three. The Grand Final is a best-of-five series.

Teams Attending

Stage 1

• 3DMAX
• Astralis
• B8
• BIG
• Complexity Gaming
• FaZe Clan
• FlyQuest
• Furia Esports
• GamerLegion
• Heroic
• MIBR
• Ninjas in Pyjamas
• paiN Gaming
• Team Liquid
• TYLOO
• Virtus.pro

Stage 2

• Aurora Gaming
• G2 Esports
• MOUZ
• Natus Vincere
• Team Vitality
• Team Spirit
• Team Vitality
• The MongolZ

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