Electronic Sports League hosts one of the most popular and highly watched esports events, the Intel Extreme Masters (IEM). It includes competitions in several games, including Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), StarCraft II, and League of Legends. The event takes place in several countries worldwide.
The betting scene for IEM tournaments has been growing over the years, with a huge fan base of esports enthusiasts placing bets on their favorite teams and aiming for big wins. Today, online platforms offer many betting options, including real-time betting, allowing bettors to place their bets during the game.
In addition to the current esports tournaments, everyone has their eyes set on the upcoming edition of esports games, such as CS2. The new CS:GO sequel is expected to feature a number of updates, including new maps, modes, and upgraded graphics. Valve announced it will invest heavily in the CS2 esports scene. This includes hosting major tournaments with millions of dollars in prize money. As a result, some online platforms are preparing for live CS2 betting to enable crypto bets in real-time when the CS2 update of CS:GO is released. Esports fans eagerly await for’s release of CS2 and the launch of its tournaments.
Although next year, the IEM ‘CS:GO’ Tournament will be hosted in Brazil, This year, the (CS:GO) tournament returns after three years of absence in Sydney, Australia, at the Aware Super Theatre.
Introduction of the Contending Teams
IEM Sydney will be Australia’s first major S-Tier CS:GO tournament since 2019. The contending teams will be a mix of invited teams and regional qualifiers. Each region will host two sets of open qualifiers and a closed qualifier stage in August.
Two teams will participate from Europe, while one group will attend from North America, Asia, and Oceania. The IEM Sydney will also follow ESL’s changes in the qualification process for the ESL Pro Tour, using a best-of-three instead of the usual five format for the finals.
Europe
- Open Qualifier #1: August 9-10
- Open Qualifier #2: August 11-12
- Closed Qualifier: August 23-25
North America
- Open Qualifier #1: August 9-10
- Open Qualifier #2: August 11-12
- Closed Qualifier: August 24-25
Asia
- Open Qualifier #1: August 9-10
- Open Qualifier #2: August 11-12
- Closed Qualifier: August 24-25
Oceania
- Open Qualifier #1: August 9-10
- Open Qualifier #2: August 11-12
- Closed Qualifier: August 22-23
The Top Teams Attending The IEM Fall 2023
Vitality
A French team, best known for its Counter-Strike professionals. The team has won several tournaments, including the BLAST Premier: Fall Final 2022 and the BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023. Team members: apex, Magisk, ZywOo, flameZ, Spinx, and Coach Zonic.
ENCE
Team ENCE is a Finnish esports organization with a Counter-Strike Flagship team. Team ENCE has won the 2022 IEM Dallas, finished third in the LEC Summer Split 2022, and second at the IEM Cologne 2023. Team roster: Snappi, NertZ, Maden, Dycha, SunPayus, and team coach sAw.
G2
G2 Esports is a world-class esports team; they have won several CS:GO tournaments, including the 2019 IEM Katowice Major. This year, the team coach will be Swani, and the team members NiKo, huNter, jks, HooXi, and m0NESY.
FaZe Clan
The team, commonly known as FaZe Clipz, is an American esports and entertainment organization founded by Eric Rivera. Known for its inventive and original content, they have won numerous CS:GO CS:GO tournaments and championships, including the 2022 PGL Major Antwerp—team members: karrigan, rain, Twistzz, ropz, broky, and team coach NEO.
Cloud9
Jack Etienne and Paullie Ewald founded the team in 2013 as a professional esports organization. Their CS:GO team has qualified for every major tournament since 2015. Although they’re very successful, they have yet to win any major titles. The current roster is Hobbit, electroNic, Ax1Le, sh1ro, Perfecto, and team coach Groove.
Natus Vincere
Natus Vincere is a Ukrainian team commonly known as NAVI; Natus Vincere translates to “born to win.” NAVI’s CS:GO team was the first to win three premier esports tournaments in one year: the Intel Extreme Masters, Electronic Sports World Cup, and World Cyber Games 2010.
GamerLegion
Although GamerLegion is known for its League of Legends team, they have an active unit in Global Offensive. The German team has potential; they are consistent and continue developing their skills. This year, they reached the semi-finals at the BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023, however, was defeated by team Heroic. This year, the team roaster consists of acoR, neaLaN, Keoz, Isak, Volt, and coach Ash.
Prize Distribution
All 20 teams will receive their share of the prize, with the winning team getting $400,000, the last two teams getting $2500, and the rest winning various prizes in between.
There’s much to look forward to with so many top teams competing for the ultimate prize.
