Intel Extreme Masters
The Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) is a series of international esports tournaments held in countries around the world. These Electronic Sports League (ESL) sanctioned events, sponsored by Intel, as of 2022 currently host events in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and StarCraft II. Other game titles were hosted in the past.[1] The body that owns the league is Turtle Entertainment. The League has operated 17 seasons as of 2023. The season finals, with the largest prize pool, takes place in Katowice, Poland.[1] Mid-season events are held in numerous cities around the globe, including Chicago, Shanghai and Sydney.[1]
![]() Logo since 2019 | |
Sport | Esports Counter-Strike StarCraft II |
---|---|
Founded | 2007 |
Country | Worldwide |
Most recent champion(s) | Counter-Strike: FaZe Clan (Sydney 2023) StarCraft II: Lee "Rogue" Byung Yeol |
Most titles | Counter-Strike: Fnatic |
Sponsor(s) | Intel, Acer Predator, 1xBet, Paysafecard, DHL, MTN Dew AMP Game Fuel |
Official website | www |
History
![A view of the crowd during Intel Extreme Masters Katowice 2013](../I/Podczas_Intel_Extreme_Masters_(8464381085).jpg.webp)
The Intel Extreme Masters are a product of the ESL. In 2006, when the Intel sponsored European tournament saw room for expansion outside of Europe, especially in North American markets, Intel provided funds for a worldwide tournament, billing it as the Intel Extreme Masters.[2] In 2007, when established, the IEM established a format of many smaller qualifying events, leading up to a large final event that is held at CeBIT. All of the Grand Finals have been held at CeBIT. Starting in 2008, the Tournament was billed as being worldwide, boasting participants from Europe, North America, and Asia.[2] Although Counterstrike 1.6 was the only game offered in the first season, the variety of games has increased greatly, to the four that were offered during Season 5. World of Warcraft was offered during Season 4, but was dropped for Season 5. The Season 5 Finals will be held at CeBIT and will included a US$130,000 prize pool.[3]
Games offered in Intel Extreme Masters: Counter-Strike (Seasons 1–6), Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos and Warcraft 3: The Frozen Throne (Seasons 1–2, 3: Asian Championship Finals — CS1.6 and Asian Championship Finals — WoW, 4: Global Challenge Chengdu, 5: Global Challenge Shanghai), World of Warcraft (Seasons 2: Global Challenge Dreamhack, 3–4), Quake Live (Seasons 4–5), StarCraft II (Seasons 5–6), League of Legends (LoL) (Seasons 5: World Championship (LoL Invitational), 6)
IEM seasons
Season I
Event | Dates | Game | Winner | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
World Championship | 15-18 March 2007 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
|
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos | ![]() |
Season II
![A large crowd at the Fan Expo at Intel Extreme Masters Toronto 2014](../I/Spectators_at_IEM_Toronto_2014.jpg.webp)
Event | Dates | Game | Winner | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
Los Angeles | 6-9 March 2008 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
|
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos | ![]() | |||
World Championship | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
||
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos | ![]() |
Season III
Event | Dates | Game | Winner | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
Games Convention | Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos | ![]() |
||
Los Angeles | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
||
World of Warcraft | ![]() | |||
Montreal | 17-19 October 2008 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
[4] |
World of Warcraft | ![]() | |||
Global | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
||
Asian WoW | 13-16 November 2008 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
[5] |
World of Warcraft | ![]() | |||
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos | ![]() | |||
European | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
||
World of Warcraft | ![]() | |||
American | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
||
World of Warcraft | ![]() | |||
Asian CS1.6 | 16-18 January 2009 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
[6] |
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos | ![]() | |||
World Championship | 3-8 March 2009 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
|
World of Warcraft | ![]() |
Season IV
Event | Dates | Game | Winner | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
GamesCom | 20-23 August 2009 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
[7] |
Quake Live | ![]() | |||
World of Warcraft | ![]() | |||
Chengdu | 1-3 October 2009 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
[8] |
Defense of the Ancients | ![]() | |||
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos | ![]() | |||
Dubai | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
||
Quake Live | ![]() | |||
European | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
||
Quake Live | ![]() | |||
World of Warcraft | ![]() | |||
American | Counter-Strike | ![]() |
||
Quake Live | ![]() | |||
World of Warcraft | ![]() | |||
Asian | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
||
Quake Live | ![]() | |||
World of Warcraft | ![]() | |||
World Championship | 2-6 March 2010 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
|
Quake Live | ![]() | |||
World of Warcraft | ![]() |
Season V
Event | Dates | Game | Winner | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
Shanghai | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
||
Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne | ![]() | |||
Defense of the Ancients | ![]() | |||
Cologne | StarCraft II | ![]() |
||
Quake Live | ![]() | |||
American | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
||
Quake Live | ![]() | |||
StarCraft II | ![]() | |||
European | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
||
Quake Live | ![]() | |||
StarCraft II | ![]() | |||
World Championship | 1-5 March 2011 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
|
Quake Live | ![]() | |||
StarCraft II | ![]() | |||
League of Legends Invitational | ![]() |
Season VI
Event | Dates | Game | Winner | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cologne | League of Legends | ![]() |
||
StarCraft II | ![]() | |||
Guangzhou | League of Legends | ![]() |
||
StarCraft II | ![]() | |||
Counter-Strike | ![]() | |||
New York City | League of Legends | ![]() |
||
StarCraft II | ![]() | |||
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() | |||
Kyiv | League of Legends | ![]() |
||
StarCraft II | ![]() | |||
Counter-Strike | ![]() | |||
São Paulo | StarCraft II | ![]() |
||
World Championship | 6-10 March 2012 | League of Legends | ![]() |
|
StarCraft II | ![]() | |||
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
Season VII
Event | Dates | Game | Winner | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
Gamescom | League of Legends | ![]() |
||
StarCraft II | ![]() | |||
Singapore | League of Legends | ![]() |
||
StarCraft II | ![]() | |||
Cologne | League of Legends | ![]() | ||
Katowice | League of Legends | ![]() |
||
StarCraft II | ![]() | |||
Brazil | League of Legends | ![]() |
||
World Championship | League of Legends | ![]() |
[9] | |
StarCraft II | ![]() |
Season VIII
Event | Dates | Game | Winner | Runner-up | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shanghai | 25–28 July 2013 | League of Legends | ![]() |
![]() |
[10] |
StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm | ![]() |
![]() | |||
New York | 10–13 October 2013 | StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm | ![]() |
![]() |
[11] |
Cologne | 23–24 November 2013 | League of Legends (Pro) | ![]() |
![]() |
[12] |
League of Legends (Amateur) | ![]() |
![]() | |||
Singapore | 28 November – 1 December 2013 | League of Legends | ![]() |
![]() |
[13] |
StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm | ![]() |
![]() | |||
São Paulo | 28 January – 1 February 2014 | League of Legends | ![]() |
![]() |
[14] |
StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm | ![]() |
![]() | |||
Cologne | 13–16 February 2014 | StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm | ![]() |
![]() |
[15] |
World Championship Katowice |
13–16 March 2014 | ||||
Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft | ![]() |
![]() |
[16] | ||
League of Legends | ![]() |
![]() | |||
StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm | ![]() |
![]() |
Season IX
Event | Dates | Game | Winner | Runner-up | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shenzhen | 16–20 July 2014 | Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft | ![]() |
![]() |
[17] |
League of Legends | ![]() |
![]() | |||
StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm | ![]() |
![]() | |||
Toronto | 28–31 August 2014 | StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm | ![]() |
![]() |
[18] |
San Jose | 6–7 December 2014 | League of Legends | ![]() |
![]() |
[19] |
StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm | ![]() |
![]() | |||
Cologne | 18–21 December 2014 | League of Legends | ![]() |
![]() |
[20] |
Taipei | 28 January – 1 February 2015 | League of Legends | ![]() |
![]() |
[21] |
StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm | ![]() |
![]() | |||
World Championship Katowice |
12–15 March 2015 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
![]() |
[22] |
League of Legends | ![]() |
![]() | |||
StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm | ![]() |
![]() |
Season X
Event | Dates | Game | Winner | Runner-up | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shenzhen | 16–20 July 2015 | Heroes of the Storm | ![]() |
![]() |
[23] |
StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm | ![]() |
![]() | |||
Gamescom | 5–9 August 2015 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
![]() |
[24] |
StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm | ![]() |
![]() | |||
San Jose | 21–22 November 2015 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
![]() |
[25] |
League of Legends | ![]() |
![]() | |||
Cologne | 18–20 December 2015 | League of Legends | ![]() |
![]() |
[26] |
Taipei | 29 January – 2 February 2016 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
![]() |
[27] |
StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void | ![]() |
![]() | |||
World Championship Katowice |
4–6 March 2016 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
![]() |
[28] |
League of Legends | ![]() |
![]() | |||
StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void | ![]() |
![]() |
Season XI
Event | Dates | Game | Winner | Runner-up | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shanghai | 28–31 July 2016 | StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void | ![]() |
![]() |
[30] |
Oakland | 19–20 November 2016 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
![]() |
[31] |
League of Legends | ![]() |
![]() | |||
Gyeonggi | 17–18 December 2016 | League of Legends | ![]() |
![]() |
[32] |
Overwatch | ![]() |
![]() | |||
StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void | ![]() |
![]() | |||
World Championship Katowice |
25–26 February & 3–5 March 2017 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
![]() |
[33] |
League of Legends | ![]() |
![]() | |||
StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void | ![]() |
![]() |
Season XII
Event | Dates | Game | Winner | Runner-up | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sydney | 6–7 May 2017 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
![]() |
[35] |
Shanghai | 27–30 July 2017 | Starcraft 2 | ![]() |
![]() |
[36] |
Oakland | 18–19 November 2017 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
![]() |
[37] |
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds | ![]() |
![]() | |||
PyeongChang | 5–7 February 2018 | Starcraft 2 | ![]() |
![]() | |
Katowice | 2–4 March 2018 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
![]() |
[38] |
Starcraft 2 | ![]() |
![]() |
Season XIII
Event | Venue | Dates | Game | Champion | Runner-Up | Prize Pool |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sydney | Qudos Bank Arena | 1 - 6 May 2018 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
![]() |
US$250,000 |
Shanghai | Shanghai New International Expo Center | 1 - 6 August 2018 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
![]() |
US$250,000 |
Chicago | Jeunesse Arena | 6 - 11 November 2018 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
![]() |
US$250,000 |
World Championship | Spodek Arena | 13 February - 3 March 2019 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
![]() |
US$1,000,000 |
StarCraft II | ![]() |
![]() |
US$400,000 |
Season XIV
Event | Venue | Dates | Game | Champion | Runner-Up | Prize Pool |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sydney | Qudos Bank Arena | 29 April – 5 May 2019 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
![]() |
US$250,000 |
Chicago | United Center | 18 – 21 July 2019 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
![]() |
US$250,000 |
Beijing | Beijing University Students' Stadium | 7 – 10 November 2019 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
![]() |
US$250,000 |
World Championship | Spodek Arena | 24 February – 1 March 2020 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
![]() |
US$500,000 |
StarCraft II | ![]() |
![]() |
US$400,000 |
Season XV
Event | Venue | Dates | Game | Champion | Runner-Up | Prize Pool |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Global Challenge | Online |
15 – 20 December 2020 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
![]() |
US$500,000 |
World Championship | 16 – 28 February 2021 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
![]() |
US$1,000,000 | |
StarCraft II | ![]() |
![]() |
US$250,000 | |||
Melbourne | 17 – 22 August 2021 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | Cancelled |
US$250,000 |
Season XVI
Event | Venue | Dates | Game | Champion | Runner-Up | Prize Pool |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Online | 3 – 13 June 2021 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
![]() |
US$250,000 |
Cologne | Lanxess Arena | 6 – 18 July 2021 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
![]() |
US$1,000,000 |
Winter | Quality Hotel™ Globe | 2 – 12 December 2021 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
![]() |
US$250,000 |
Katowice | Spodek Arena | 15 – 22 February 2022 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
![]() |
US$1,000,000 |
StarCraft II | ![]() |
![]() |
US$500,000 |
Year 2022
Event | Venue | Dates | Game | Champion | Runner-Up | Prize Pool |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dallas | Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center | 30 May – 5 June 2022 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
![]() |
US$250,000 |
Cologne | Lanxess Arena | 5 – 17 July 2022 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
![]() |
US$1,000,000 |
Rio Major | Jeunesse Arena | 31 October – 13 November 2022 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
![]() |
US$1,250,000 |
Katowice | Spodek Arena | 31 January – 12 February 2023 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
![]() |
US$1,000,000 |
StarCraft II | ![]() |
![]() |
US$500,000 |
Year 2023
Event | Venue | Dates | Game | Champion | Runner-Up | Prize Pool |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rio | Jeunesse Arena | 17 – 23 April 2023 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
![]() |
US$250,000 |
Dallas | Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center | 29 May – 4 June 2023 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
![]() |
US$250,000 |
Cologne | Lanxess Arena | 25 July – 6 August 2023 | Counter-Strike: Global Offensive | ![]() |
![]() |
US$1,000,000 |
Sydney | Aware Super Theater | 16 – 22 October 2023 | Counter-Strike 2 | ![]() |
![]() |
US$250,000 |
Katowice | Spodek Arena | 31 January - 11 February 2024 | Counter-Strike 2 | US$1,000,000 |
Year 2024
Event | Venue | Dates | Game | Champion | Runner-Up | Prize Pool |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
China | Chengdu, China | 8 – 14 April 2024 | Counter-Strike 2 | US$250,000 | ||
Dallas | Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center | 27 May – 2 June 2024 | Counter-Strike 2 | US$250,000 | ||
Cologne | Lanxess Arena | 7 - 18 August 2024 | Counter-Strike 2 | US$1,000,000 | ||
Fall | TBD | 7– 13 October 2024 | Counter-Strike 2 | US$250,000 |
Format
IEM utilizes a fair number of offline qualifiers. During Season 5, qualifiers were held for North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia regions.[39] Those who qualify for the finals are placed into two groups of six, of which the top two advance. The first place member of each group goes directly to the semifinals, and the second and third place members go into the quarterfinals.[40]
Organisation
The Intel Extreme Masters are run by the ESL which is owned by Turtle Entertainment GmbH. Turtle Entertainment is based in Cologne, Germany.
See also
References
- "Legacy - Intel Extreme Masters". www.intelextrememasters.com. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
- "INTEL极限大师赛亚洲总决赛落户成都". Sina. 11 September 2008. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
- "CeBIT 2011: Finale der Intel Extreme Masters". 1 March 2011. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
- "Season 3: Montreal: Main — Global Challenge Montreal — Season III — Intel Extreme Masters — ESL". ESL-World.net. 20 October 2008. Archived from the original on 27 September 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
- "Microsite Continental Finals Asia WoW — Continental Finals Asia WoW — Season III — Intel Extreme Masters — ESL". ESL-World.net. 16 November 2008. Archived from the original on 28 September 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
- "Continental Finals Asia CS — Continental Finals Asia CS — Season III — Intel Extreme Masters — ESL". ESL-World.net. 19 January 2009. Archived from the original on 28 September 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
- "ESL World: GamesCom 09 — GamesCom 09 — Season IV — Intel Extreme Masters — ESL". ESL-World.net. 23 July 2012. Archived from the original on 28 September 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
- "ESL World: Chengdu — Chengdu — Season IV — Intel Extreme Masters — ESL". ESL-World.net. 3 October 2009. Archived from the original on 28 October 2013. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
- "ESL World: CJ Entus Blaze and YoDa are the new World Champions — News — World Championship — Season 7 — Intel Extreme Masters — ESL". ESL-World.net. 9 March 2013. Archived from the original on 28 September 2015. Retrieved 27 September 2015.
- "Shanghai". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Archived from the original on 29 January 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- "New York". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Archived from the original on 4 February 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- "Cologne". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Archived from the original on 21 December 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- "Singapore". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Archived from the original on 20 January 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- "São Paulo". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- "Cologne". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- "World Championship". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- "Shenzhen Tournament & Bracket". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- "Toronto Tournament & Bracket". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- "San Jose Tournament & Bracket". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Archived from the original on 27 November 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- "Cologne Tournament & Bracket". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Archived from the original on 22 November 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- "Taipei Tournament & Bracket". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- "World Championship Tournament & Bracket". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- "Shenzhen Standings". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- "Gamescom Standings". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- "San Jose Standings". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Archived from the original on 24 November 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- "Cologne Standings". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
- "Taipei Standings". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
- "World Championship Katowice Standings". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
- "Intel Extreme Masters Season 11 breaks the one million dollar barrier!". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. 11 May 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
- "Shanghai Standings". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
- "Oakland Standings". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
- "Gyeonggi Standings". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
- "Katowice Standings". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
- ESL. "Intel Extreme Masters". en.intelextrememasters.com. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
- ESL. "Intel Extreme Masters". en.intelextrememasters.com. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
- ESL. "Intel Extreme Masters 2017 – Shanghai | Intel Extreme Masters". en.intelextrememasters.com. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
- ESL. "Intel Extreme Masters 2017 – Oakland | Intel Extreme Masters". en.intelextrememasters.com. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
- ESL. "Intel Extreme Masters 2017 – Katowice | Intel Extreme Masters". en.intelextrememasters.com. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
- "Intel Extreme Masters 5: европейский финал киберспортивного чемпионата стартовал в Киеве". THG.ru (in Russian). 21 January 2011. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
- "ESL World: Main". ESL-World.com. Archived from the original on 1 March 2011. Retrieved 2 March 2011.