ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) has unveiled Melbourne as the host city for the Intel® Extreme Masters (IEM) Melbourne 2025, a Counter-Strike 2 tournament set to take place from April 21-27. This marks the first IEM event in Melbourne and the fifth in Australia, following a sold-out 2023 edition in Sydney that attracted over 20,000 fans.
The announcement comes as a positive boost for the Australian esports community, particularly after the news that DreamHack Melbourne, which had signed a five-year deal to host the festival in the city, will not return in 2025.
Marc Winther, Director of Game Ecosystems - Counter-Strike at ESL FACEIT Group, expressed his excitement about the event:
The Australian crowd always brings unmatched energy to our events. After our thwarted 2020 plans, we’re thrilled to finally bring IEM to Melbourne, Australia’s sporting capital.
Steve Dimopoulos, Minister for Tourism, Sport, and Major Events, highlighted the tournament’s significance for Melbourne:
Hosting the world’s best gamers in Melbourne will create an electric atmosphere and boost our local economy as thousands of fans enjoy our city’s world-class hospitality.
The tournament will feature 16 of the world’s top Counter-Strike teams, determined by the Valve Regional Standings (VRS) system, competing for glory in the iconic Rod Laver Arena.
Tournament Structure
Group Stage (April 21-23): Sixteen teams will compete in a double-elimination format, with all matches being best-of-three.
Invites:
10 Global VRS slots
2 Europe VRS slots
2 Americas VRS slots
2 Asia VRS slots
Playoffs (April 25-27): The Group Stage's top six teams will battle live in Melbourne. Quarterfinals and Semifinals will follow a best-of-three format, while the Grand Final will be a best-of-five showdown.
Tickets
Tickets for IEM Melbourne 2025 will go on sale on Thursday, January 23, at 2 PM AEDT via Ticketek, starting at AU$189. Available packages include:
3-Day General Admission: AU$189
3-Day GA+: AU$249 (includes a goodie bag)
3-Day Premium: AU$359 (premium seating and perks)
3-Day GOD MODE: AU$1,999 (includes exclusive backstage tour, premium seating, and a food/beverage package).
Broadcast Information
Fans worldwide can catch the action starting April 21 via FACEIT Watch, ESL Counter-Strike’s Twitch and YouTube channels, or through regional broadcast partners.
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