Intel Extreme Masters

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Intel Extreme Masters
Logo since 2019
SportEsports
Counter-Strike
StarCraft II
Founded2007
CountryWorldwide
Most recent
champion(s)
Counter-Strike: FaZe Clan (Sydney 2023)
StarCraft II: Lee "Rogue" Byung Yeol
Most titlesCounter-Strike: Fnatic
Sponsor(s)Intel, Acer Predator, 1xBet, Paysafecard, DHL, MTN Dew AMP Game Fuel
Official websitewww.intelextrememasters.com

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 2024 currently host events in Counter-Strike 2 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 highest tier of events, known as Masters Championships, are held in the summer in Cologne, Germany and in the new year in Katowice, Poland and offer the most prize money.[1] Other events, known as Masters events, are held in numerous cities around the globe, which have included Dallas, Shanghai and Sydney.[1]

History[edit]

A view of the crowd during Intel Extreme Masters Katowice 2013
Intel Extreme Masters Katowice 2013

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[edit]

Season I[edit]

Event Dates Game Winner Ref
World Championship 15-18 March 2007 Counter-Strike Team Pentagram
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Yoan "ToD" Merlo

Season II[edit]

A large crowd at the Fan Expo at Intel Extreme Masters Toronto 2014
Fan Expo at Intel Extreme Masters Toronto 2014
Event Dates Game Winner Ref
Los Angeles 6-9 March 2008 Counter-Strike FnaticRC
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos June "Lyn" Park
World Championship Counter-Strike Mousesports
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos June "Lyn" Park

Season III[edit]

Event Dates Game Winner Ref
Games Convention Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Nihilum Plasma
Los Angeles Counter-Strike SK Gaming
World of Warcraft x6tence
Montreal 17-19 October 2008 Counter-Strike Fnatic [4]
World of Warcraft SK Gaming
Global Counter-Strike Mousesports
Asian WoW 13-16 November 2008 Counter-Strike e-STRO [5]
World of Warcraft H O N
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Manuel "Grubby" Schenkhuizen
European Counter-Strike mTw
World of Warcraft iNNERFiRE
American Counter-Strike Made in Brazil
World of Warcraft Trade Chat
Asian CS1.6 16-18 January 2009 Counter-Strike wNv Teamwork [6]
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Li "Sky" Xiaofeng
World Championship 3-8 March 2009 Counter-Strike fnatic
World of Warcraft H O N

Season IV[edit]

Event Dates Game Winner Ref
GamesCom 20-23 August 2009 Counter-Strike Mousesports [7][failed verification]
Quake Live Shane "rapha" Hendrixson
World of Warcraft Ensidia
Chengdu 1-3 October 2009 Counter-Strike SK Gaming [8]
Defense of the Ancients For The Dream (ex-LGD)
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Lu "Fly100%" Weiliang
Dubai Counter-Strike Fnatic
Quake Live Shane "rapha" Hendrixson
European Counter-Strike Mousesports
Quake Live Alexey "Cypher" Yanushevsky
World of Warcraft SK Gaming Sansibar
American Counter-Strike compLexity
Quake Live Tim "DaHanG" Fogarty
World of Warcraft compLexity Black
Asian Counter-Strike WeMade FOX
Quake Live Fan "Jibo" Zhibo
World of Warcraft Button Bashers
World Championship 2-6 March 2010 Counter-Strike Natus Vincere
Quake Live Shane "rapha" Hendrixson
World of Warcraft Evil Geniuses

Season V[edit]

Event Dates Game Winner Ref
Shanghai Counter-Strike fnatic
Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne June "Lyn" Park
Defense of the Ancients EHOME
Cologne StarCraft II Stefan "MorroW" Andersson — Mousesports
Quake Live k1llsen
American Counter-Strike compLexity
Quake Live Shane "rapha" Hendrixson
StarCraft II Jian "Fenix" Morayra Alejo — fnatic
European Counter-Strike fnatic
Quake Live Anton "Cooller" Singov
StarCraft II Jeffrey "SjoW" Brusi — Team Dignitas
World Championship 1-5 March 2011 Counter-Strike Natus Vincere
Quake Live Shane "rapha" Hendrixson
StarCraft II Jung "AcE" Woo-Seo — Team StarTale
League of Legends Invitational myRevenge

Season VI[edit]

Event Dates Game Winner Ref
Cologne League of Legends Counter Logic Gaming
StarCraft II Lee "PuMa" Ho-Joon — Evil Geniuses
Guangzhou League of Legends World Elite
StarCraft II Greg "IdrA" FieldsEvil Geniuses
Counter-Strike fnatic
New York City League of Legends fnatic
StarCraft II Park "DongRaeGu" Soo-Ho — Complexity Gaming & Team MvP
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive SK Gaming
Kyiv League of Legends Moscow 5
StarCraft II Moon "MMA" Sung-Won — Team SlayerS
Counter-Strike Natus Vincere
São Paulo StarCraft II Kim "viOLet" Dong-Hwan — Team Empire
World Championship 6-10 March 2012 League of Legends Moscow 5
StarCraft II Jang "MC" Min-ChulSK Gaming
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive ESC Gaming

Season VII[edit]

Event Dates Game Winner Ref
Gamescom League of Legends Moscow Five
StarCraft II Jung "Mvp" Jong-Hyun — Incredible Miracle
Singapore League of Legends MeetYourMakers
StarCraft II Ju "Sting" Hoon — Western Wolves
Cologne League of Legends SK Telecom T1
Katowice League of Legends Gambit Gaming (ex-M5)
StarCraft II Kang "First" Hyun-Woo — Incredible Miracle
Brazil League of Legends Incredible Miracle
World Championship League of Legends CJ Entus Blaze [9]
StarCraft II Choi "YoDa" Byung-Hyun — Incredible Miracle

Season VIII[edit]

Intel Extreme Masters Season VIII
Event Dates Game Winner Runner-up Ref
Shanghai 25–28 July 2013 League of Legends Team WE Invictus Gaming [10]
StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm Revival Oz
New York 10–13 October 2013 StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm Life NaNiwa [11]
Cologne 23–24 November 2013 League of Legends (Pro) Gambit Gaming Fnatic [12]
League of Legends (Amateur) Copenhagen Wolves Ninjas in Pyjamas
Singapore 28 November – 1 December 2013 League of Legends Invictus Gaming CJ Entus Frost [13]
StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm herO san
São Paulo 28 January – 1 February 2014 League of Legends Millenium paiN Gaming [14]
StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm herO MC
Cologne 13–16 February 2014 StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm HerO Polt [15]
World Championship
Katowice
13–16 March 2014
Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft Gnimsh Artosis [16]
League of Legends KT Rolster Bullets Fnatic
StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm sOs herO

Season IX[edit]

Intel Extreme Masters Season IX
Event Dates Game Winner Runner-up Ref
Shenzhen 16–20 July 2014 Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft Amaz Azeri [17]
League of Legends Team WE EDward Gaming
StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm TaeJa Solar
Toronto 28–31 August 2014 StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm Flash Zest [18]
San Jose 6–7 December 2014 League of Legends Cloud9 Unicorns of Love [19]
StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm herO Rain
Cologne 18–21 December 2014 League of Legends Gambit Gaming Counter Logic Gaming [20]
Taipei 28 January – 1 February 2015 League of Legends yoe Flash Wolves Taipei Assassins [21]
StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm Life Maru
World Championship
Katowice
12–15 March 2015 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Fnatic Ninjas in Pyjamas [22]
League of Legends Team SoloMid Team WE
StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm Zest Trap

Season X[edit]

Intel Extreme Masters Season X
Event Dates Game Winner Runner-up Ref
Shenzhen 16–20 July 2015 Heroes of the Storm MVP Black Virtus.pro [23]
StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm Classic PartinG
Gamescom 5–9 August 2015 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Team EnVyUs Team SoloMid [24]
StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm INnoVation soO
San Jose 21–22 November 2015 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Natus Vincere Team SoloMid [25]
League of Legends Origen Counter Logic Gaming
Cologne 18–20 December 2015 League of Legends ESC Ever Qiao Gu Reapers [26]
Taipei 29 January – 2 February 2016 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive The MongolZ Renegades [27]
StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void sOs ByuN
World Championship
Katowice
4–6 March 2016 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Fnatic Luminosity Gaming [28]
League of Legends SK Telecom T1 Fnatic
StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void Polt Snute

Season XI[edit]

Intel Extreme Masters Season XI[29]
Event Dates Game Winner Runner-up Ref
Shanghai 28–31 July 2016 StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void uThermal Neeb [30]
Oakland 19–20 November 2016 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Ninjas in Pyjamas SK Gaming [31]
League of Legends Unicorns Of Love Flash Wolves
Gyeonggi 17–18 December 2016 League of Legends Samsung Galaxy Kongdoo Monster [32]
Overwatch LuxuryWatch Red Lunatic-Hai
StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void INnoVation Stats
World Championship
Katowice
25–26 February & 3–5 March 2017 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Astralis FaZe Clan [33]
League of Legends Flash Wolves G2 Esports
StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void TY Stats

Season XII[edit]

Intel Extreme Masters Season XII[34]
Event Dates Game Winner Runner-up Ref
Sydney 6–7 May 2017 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive SK Gaming FaZe Clan [35]
Shanghai 27–30 July 2017 Starcraft 2 Rogue herO [36]
Oakland 18–19 November 2017 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Ninjas in Pyjamas FaZe Clan [37]
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds *aAa* Gaming Tempo Storm
PyeongChang 5–7 February 2018 Starcraft 2 Scarlett sOs
Katowice 2–4 March 2018 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Fnatic FaZe Clan [38]
Starcraft 2 Rogue Classic

Season XIII[edit]

Intel Extreme Masters Season XVII
Event Venue Dates Game Champion Runner-Up Prize Pool
Sydney Qudos Bank Arena 1 - 6 May 2018 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Faze Clan Astralis US$250,000
Shanghai Shanghai New International Expo Center 1 - 6 August 2018 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive NRG Esports TYLOO US$250,000
Chicago Jeunesse Arena 6 - 11 November 2018 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Astralis Team Liquid US$250,000
World Championship Spodek Arena 13 February - 3 March 2019 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Astralis ENCE US$1,000,000
StarCraft II soO Stats US$400,000

Season XIV[edit]

Intel Extreme Masters Season XIV
Event Venue Dates Game Champion Runner-Up Prize Pool
Sydney Qudos Bank Arena 29 April – 5 May 2019 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Team Liquid Fnatic US$250,000
Chicago United Center 18 – 21 July 2019 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Team Liquid ENCE US$250,000
Beijing Beijing University Students' Stadium 7 – 10 November 2019 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Astralis 100 Thieves US$250,000
World Championship Spodek Arena 24 February – 1 March 2020 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Natus Vincere G2 Esports US$500,000
StarCraft II Rogue Zest US$400,000

Season XV[edit]

Intel Extreme Masters Season XV
Event Venue Dates Game Champion Runner-Up Prize Pool
Global Challenge
Online
15 – 20 December 2020 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Astralis Team Liquid US$500,000
World Championship 16 – 28 February 2021 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Gambit Esports Virtus.pro US$1,000,000
StarCraft II Reynor Zest US$250,000
Melbourne 17 – 22 August 2021 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Cancelled
US$250,000

Season XVI[edit]

Intel Extreme Masters Season XVI
Event Venue Dates Game Champion Runner-Up Prize Pool
Summer Online 3 – 13 June 2021 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Gambit Esports OG US$250,000
Cologne Lanxess Arena 6 – 18 July 2021 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Natus Vincere G2 Esports US$1,000,000
Winter Quality Hotel™ Globe 2 – 12 December 2021 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Team Vitality Ninjas in Pyjamas US$250,000
Katowice Spodek Arena 15 – 22 February 2022 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive FaZe Clan G2 Esports US$1,000,000
StarCraft II Serral Reynor US$500,000

Year 2022[edit]

Intel Extreme Masters 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 Cloud9 ENCE US$250,000
Cologne Lanxess Arena 5 – 17 July 2022 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive FaZe Clan Natus Vincere US$1,000,000
Rio Major Jeunesse Arena 31 October – 13 November 2022 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Outsiders Heroic US$1,250,000
Katowice Spodek Arena 31 January – 12 February 2023 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive G2 Esports Heroic US$1,000,000
StarCraft II Oliveira Maru US$500,000

Year 2023[edit]

Intel Extreme Masters 2023
Event Venue Dates Game Champion Runner-Up Prize Pool
Rio Jeunesse Arena 17 – 23 April 2023 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Team Vitality Heroic US$250,000
Dallas Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center 29 May – 4 June 2023 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive ENCE MOUZ US$250,000
Cologne Lanxess Arena 25 July – 6 August 2023 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive G2 Esports ENCE US$1,000,000
Sydney Aware Super Theater 16 – 22 October 2023 Counter-Strike 2 FaZe Clan Complexity Gaming US$250,000
Katowice Spodek Arena 31 January – 11 February 2024 Counter-Strike 2 Team Spirit FaZe Clan US$1,000,000

Year 2024[edit]

Intel Extreme Masters 2024
Event Venue Dates Game Champion Runner-Up Prize Pool
Chengdu Chengdu Performing Arts Center 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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "Legacy - Intel Extreme Masters". www.intelextrememasters.com. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  2. ^ a b "INTEL极限大师赛亚洲总决赛落户成都". Sina. 11 September 2008. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  3. ^ "CeBIT 2011: Finale der Intel Extreme Masters". 1 March 2011. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ "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.
  6. ^ "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.
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ "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.
  10. ^ "Shanghai". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Archived from the original on 29 January 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  11. ^ "New York". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Archived from the original on 4 February 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  12. ^ "Cologne". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Archived from the original on 21 December 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  13. ^ "Singapore". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Archived from the original on 20 January 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  14. ^ "São Paulo". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  15. ^ "Cologne". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  16. ^ "World Championship". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  17. ^ "Shenzhen Tournament & Bracket". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  18. ^ "Toronto Tournament & Bracket". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  19. ^ "San Jose Tournament & Bracket". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Archived from the original on 27 November 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  20. ^ "Cologne Tournament & Bracket". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Archived from the original on 22 November 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  21. ^ "Taipei Tournament & Bracket". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  22. ^ "World Championship Tournament & Bracket". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  23. ^ "Shenzhen Standings". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  24. ^ "Gamescom Standings". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  25. ^ "San Jose Standings". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Archived from the original on 24 November 2016. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  26. ^ "Cologne Standings". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
  27. ^ "Taipei Standings". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
  28. ^ "World Championship Katowice Standings". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
  29. ^ "Intel Extreme Masters Season 11 breaks the one million dollar barrier!". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. 11 May 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
  30. ^ "Shanghai Standings". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  31. ^ "Oakland Standings". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  32. ^ "Gyeonggi Standings". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  33. ^ "Katowice Standings". Intel Extreme Masters. Turtle Entertainment. Retrieved 6 March 2017.
  34. ^ ESL. "Intel Extreme Masters". en.intelextrememasters.com. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  35. ^ ESL. "Intel Extreme Masters". en.intelextrememasters.com. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  36. ^ ESL. "Intel Extreme Masters 2017 – Shanghai | Intel Extreme Masters". en.intelextrememasters.com. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  37. ^ ESL. "Intel Extreme Masters 2017 – Oakland | Intel Extreme Masters". en.intelextrememasters.com. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  38. ^ ESL. "Intel Extreme Masters 2017 – Katowice | Intel Extreme Masters". en.intelextrememasters.com. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  39. ^ "Intel Extreme Masters 5: европейский финал киберспортивного чемпионата стартовал в Киеве". THG.ru (in Russian). 21 January 2011. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  40. ^ "ESL World: Main". ESL-World.com. Archived from the original on 1 March 2011. Retrieved 2 March 2011.

External links[edit]