Recomended bookmakers

up to 5000 USDT Visit

Visit

Up to 300 USD Visit

What is CS 2: IEM Melbourne 2025?

IEM Melbourne 2025 is Australia’s first-ever Tier-1 Counter-Strike 2 tournament and it sees sixteen of the world’s best teams going head-to-head for a cool $1,000,000 prize pool. That makes it the biggest Esports event the country has ever seen and as part of the Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) circuit, this tournament is sure to be an exciting one.

The tournament kicks off April 21 with the group stage, where teams will fight for a place in the playoffs at Rod Laver Arena from April 25-27. With a live audience for the first time at an event of this scale in Australia, the atmosphere will be intense and the pressure of playing under the lights will be a test of focus and composure as much as raw skill.

There’s more than just prize money at stake, too, as this is a chance for one team to go down in history as the first IEM Melbourne champion. Whether you’re in the arena or tuning in from home, this is not the kind of event you’ll want to miss.

Where and When Will CS 2: IEM Melbourne 2025 Be Held?

Rod Laver Arena (a venue famous for hosting the Australian Open) will be repurposed and transformed into a CS2 battleground. Attendees can expect fantastic crowd energy and top-tier production facilities, making it the perfect setting for these kinds of high-stakes showdowns.

On offer at the Rod Laver Arena are:

• A massive central stage for the players, ensuring all fans get a great view of the action.
• Exclusive fan zones where attendees get to meet pro players and participate in Q&A sessions.
• Official merchandise and activations from ESL, Intel, and leading gaming brands.
• Live on-stage analysis and entertainment, with popular casters and analysts breaking down every moment of the action.

It’s important to say that there will be limited seating available, so tickets are expected to sell out quickly. However, the good news is that if you can’t be there in person, you can catch the action live on Twitch and YouTube Gaming.

Prize Pool Breakdown

On offer at CS 2: IEM Melbourne 2025 is a mouthwatering $1000,000, with both individual players and their respective teams set to benefit. This is how it breaks down.

As we can see, there are huge cash prizes to be won and success means a windfall for the person who wins and their teams. Winning the whole thing means walking away with $285k!

Which Teams Will Take Part in CS 2: IEM Melbourne 2025?

Team Spirit

1

chopper

2

magixx

3

zont1x

4

donk

5

sh1ro

Team Spirit

Team Vitality

1

apEX

2

ZywOo

3

Spinx

4

mezii

5

ropz

Team Vitality

Team Liquid

1

NAF

2

Twistzz

3

ultimate

4

jks

5

NertZ

Team Liquid

paiN Gaming

1

biguzera

2

nqz

3

snow

4

dav1deuS

5

TBD

paiN Gaming

The MongolZ

1

bLitz

2

Techno4K

3

910

4

mzinho

5

Senzu

The MongolZ

FlyQuest

1

INS

2

Liazz

3

Vexite

4

regali

5

nettik

FlyQuest

FaZe Clan

1

rain

2

broky

3

karrigan

4

frozen

5

EliGE

FaZe Clan

Natus Vincere

1

b1t

2

Aleksib

3

jL

4

iM

5

w0nderful

Natus Vincere

Eternal Fire

1

XANTARES

2

MAJ3R

3

Wicadia

4

woxic

5

jottAAA

Eternal Fire

MOUZ

1

torzsi

2

xertioN

3

Jimpphat

4

Brollan

5

Spinx

MOUZ

Team Falcons

1

Magisk

2

NiKo

3

TeSeS

4

kyxsan

5

degster

Team Falcons

Virtus.pro

1

FL1T

2

fame

3

electroNic

4

FL4MUS

5

ICY

Virtus.pro

GamerLegion

1

sl3nd

2

ztr

3

Tauson

4

PR

5

REZ

GamerLegion

3DMAX

1

Lucky

2

Ex3rcice

3

Maka

4

Graviti

5

bodyy

3DMAX

MIBR

1

exit

2

brnz4n

3

insani

4

saffee

5

Lucaozy

MIBR

BIG

1

tabseN

2

Krimbo

3

JDC

4

kyuubii

5

hyped

BIG

Load more

Direct Invites (Elite-Tier Teams)

• FaZe Clan – One of the most dominant teams in CS history, capable of delivering high-pressure victories on the biggest stages. Their star-studded lineup makes them an immediate favourite for the trophy.
• Natus Vincere (Na’Vi) – Packed with legendary players, Na’Vi is a formidable force led by some of the sharpest minds in the game.
• Eternal Fire – A team that has shown immense promise, boasting a lineup with the firepower to challenge the best in the world.
• MOUZ – A team that has consistently developed young stars and delivered world-class performances.
• Team Falcons – A mix of experienced veterans and rising stars looking to make a deep run and prove their worth on the international stage.
• pro – A well-structured and disciplined team known for their methodical approach and ability to grind out tough victories.
• GamerLegion – This European squad has steadily climbed the ranks and is eager to prove they belong among the elite.
• 3DMAX – A rising force on the European scene, known for their aggressive and unpredictable playing style.
• MIBR – As a legendary CS team, MIBR has rebuilt and is looking to re-establish itself as a top-tier competitor.
• BIG – A team known for its tactical approach and disciplined execution.

Regional Qualifier Spots (Teams to Watch)

Six additional teams earned their place at CS 2: IEM Melbourne 2025 by making their way through fiercely contested qualifiers. Those regional qualifiers include:

• Team Spirit (EU Qualifier Winner) – One of the strongest teams to emerge from the European circuit, boasting a lineup full of potential superstars.
• Team Vitality (EU Qualifier Winner) – Starring the generational talent ZywOo, Vitality has cemented itself as one of the strongest forces in CS2.
• Team Liquid (Americas Qualifier Winner) – North America’s premier organisation, Team Liquid has the experience and firepower to take on the best.
• paiN Gaming (Americas Qualifier Winner) – A South American powerhouse known for their aggressive, relentless playstyle.
• The MongolZ (Asia Qualifier Winner) – Representing Asia, The MongolZ are looking to showcase the region’s growing talent on the world stage.
• FlyQuest (Asia Qualifier Winner) – A team with rising potential, looking to prove that they can compete with the best.

The regional qualifiers were fiercely contested, ensuring that only the most battle-tested and resilient squads made it to Melbourne. With sixteen teams in the mix, the stakes have never been higher.

Tournament Format & Structure

So, what will CS2: IEM Melbourne 2025 look like? Well, the tournament will be split into three main phases, with each ramping up the intensity as the event progresses.

Phase 1: The Group Stage
The tournament begins with two groups of eight teams, playing in a double-elimination format. This means that teams won’t be eliminated until they’ve lost twice, giving them a chance to recover if they get off to a slow start.

All group stage matches are Best-of-Three (BO3), ensuring a fair test of skill. By the end of this phase, three teams from each group will move forward:

• 1st place in each group advances directly to the semifinals.
• 2nd & 3rd place qualify for the quarterfinals.

Phase 2: The Playoffs
This is where the stakes get even higher, as the intensity reaches fever pitch. The playoffs begin with the quarterfinals and continue into the semifinals, both played in a single-elimination format. Here, there are no second chances here, as a single loss ends a team’s run. Matches in the playoffs are all Best-of-Three (BO3), putting every team under maximum pressure to perform.

Phase 3: The Grand Final
Finally, two teams will reach the decisive Grand Final, facing off in a challenging Best-of-Five (BO5) series. Mental toughness, smart tactics, and the ability to adapt under pressure will decide which team leaves Melbourne with the trophy and the $285,000 grand prize

Who Will Win CS 2: IEM Melbourne 2025?

Predicting the winner is never easy, especially in a stacked tournament like IEM Melbourne 2025. However, based on current form and past performances, here are three favourites to look out for during the competition.