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]

Intel Extreme Masters
Logo since 2019
SportEsports
Counter-Strike
StarCraft II
Founded2007
CountryWorldwide
Most recent
champion(s)		Counter-Strike: G2 Esports (Katowice 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

History
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

Season I

(Finals: 15–18 March 2007 at CeBIT 2007)

Season II

(Finals: 6–9 March 2008 at CeBIT 2008)

A large crowd at the Fan Expo at Intel Extreme Masters Toronto 2014
Fan Expo at Intel Extreme Masters Toronto 2014

Season III

(World Championship(Finals): 3–8 March 2009 at CeBIT 2009)

  • Global Challenge Games Convention:
    • World of Warcraft: Germany's Nihilum Plasma
  • Global Challenge Los Angeles:
    • Counter-Strike: Sweden's SK Gaming
    • World of Warcraft: Spain's x6tence
  • Global Challenge Montreal:[4]
  • Global Challenge Dubai:
  • Asian Championshiphttp: — WoW:[5]
  • European Championship:
    • Counter-Strike: Denmark's mTw
    • World of Warcraft: Bulgaria's iNNERFiRE
  • American Championship:
    • Counter-Strike: Brazil's Made in Brazil
    • World of Warcraft: the United States's Trade Chat
  • Asian Championship: CS1.6:[6]
  • World Championship:
    • Counter-Strike: Sweden's fnatic
    • World of Warcraft: Korea's H O N

Season IV

(World Championship(Finals): 2–6 March 2010 at CeBIT 2010)

  • Global Challenge Gamescom:[7]
    • Counter-Strike: Germany's Mousesports
    • Quake Live: the United States's Shane "rapha" Hendrixson
    • World of Warcraft: the United Arab Emirates's Ensidia
  • Global Challenge Chengdu:[8]
  • Global Challenge Dubai:
    • Counter-Strike: Sweden's Fnatic
    • Quake Live: the United States's Shane "rapha" Hendrixson
  • European Championship:
  • American Championship:
    • Counter Strike: the United States's compLexity
    • Quake Live: the United States's Tim "DaHanG" Fogarty
    • World of Warcraft: the United States's compLexity Black
  • Asian Championship:
    • Counter Strike: Korea's WeMade FOX
    • Quake Live: China's Fan "Jibo" Zhibo
    • World of Warcraft: Korea's Button Bashers
  • World Championship:

Season V

(World Championship(Finals): 1–5 March 2011 at CeBIT 2011)

  • Global Challenge Shanghai:
    • Counter-Strike: Sweden's fnatic
    • Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne: Korea's June "Lyn" Park
    • DotA: China's: EHOME
  • Global Challenge Cologne:
    • StarCraft II: Sweden's Stefan "MorroW" Andersson — Mousesports
    • Quake Live: Germany's k1llsen
  • American Championship:
  • European Championship:
    • Counter-Strike: Sweden's fnatic
    • Quake Live: Russia's Anton "Cooller" Singov
    • StarCraft II: Sweden's Jeffrey "SjoW" Brusi — Team Dignitas
  • World Championship:

Season VI

(World Championship(Finals): 6–10 March 2012 at CeBIT 2012)

Season VII
  • Global Challenge Gamescom:
    • LoL: Russia's Moscow Five
    • StarCraft II: Korea's Jung "Mvp" Jong-Hyun — Incredible Miracle
  • Global Challenge Singapore(originally in Guangzhou):
    • LoL: the European Union's MeetYourMakers
    • StarCraft II: Korea's Ju "Sting" Hoon — Western Wolves
  • Global Challenge Cologne:
  • Global Challenge Katowice:
    • LoL: Russia's Gambit Gaming (ex-M5)
    • StarCraft II: Korea's Kang "First" Hyun-Woo — Incredible Miracle
  • Global Challenge Brazil:
    • LoL: Korea's Incredible Miracle
  • World Championship:[9]
    • LoL: Korea's CJ Entus Blaze
    • StarCraft II: Korea's Choi "YoDa" Byung-Hyun — Incredible Miracle

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

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

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

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

Season XII
See also: Intel Extreme Masters Season XII – Oakland
Intel Extreme Masters Season XII[34]
Venue Dates Game Champions Runners-up
Qudos Bank Arena — Sydney, Australia[35] 6–7 May 2017 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Brazil SK Gaming European Union FaZe Clan
SNIEC — Shanghai, China[36] 27–30 July 2017 Starcraft 2 South Korea Rogue South Korea herO
Oracle Arena — Oakland, United States[37] 18–19 November 2017 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Sweden Ninjas in Pyjamas European Union FaZe Clan
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds France *aAa* Gaming United States Tempo Storm
2018 PyeongChang — PyeongChang, South Korea 5–7 February 2018 Starcraft 2 Canada Scarlett South Korea sOs
Spodek Arena — Katowice, Poland[38] 2–4 March 2018 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Sweden Fnatic European Union FaZe Clan
Starcraft 2 South Korea Rogue South Korea Classic

Season XIII
See also: Intel Extreme Masters Season XIII – World Championship and Intel Extreme Masters Season XIII – Katowice Major 2019
Intel Extreme Masters Season XVII
Event Venue Dates Game Champion Runner-Up
Sydney Qudos Bank Arena 1 - 6 May 2018 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Europe Faze Clan Denmark Astralis
Shanghai Shanghai New International Expo Center 1 - 6 August 2018 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive United States NRG Esports China TYLOO
Chicago Jeunesse Arena 6 –11 November 2018 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Denmark Astralis Organization of American States Team Liquid
World Championship Spodek Arena 13 February - 3 March 2019 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Denmark Astralis Finland ENCE
StarCraft II South Korea soO South Korea Stats

Season XIV
Intel Extreme Masters Season XIV
Event Venue Dates Game Champion Runner-Up
Sydney Qudos Bank Arena 29 April – 5 May 2019 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive United States Team Liquid Sweden Fnatic
Chicago United Center 18 – 21 July 2019 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive United States Team Liquid Finland ENCE
Beijing Beijing University Students' Stadium 7 – 10 November 2019 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Denmark Astralis Australia 100 Thieves
World Championship Spodek, Katowice 24 February – 1 March 2020 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Ukraine Natus Vincere France G2 Esports
StarCraft II South Korea Rogue South Korea Zest

Season XV
Intel Extreme Masters Season XV
Event Venue Dates Game Champion Runner-Up
Global Challenge
Online
 15 – 20 December 2020 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Denmark Astralis United States Team Liquid
World Championship 16 – 28 February 2021 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Russia Gambit Esports Commonwealth of Independent States Virtus.pro
StarCraft II Italy Reynor South Korea Zest
Melbourne 17 – 22 August 2021 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Cancelled

Season XVI
Intel Extreme Masters Season XVI
Event Venue Dates Game Champion Runner-Up
Summer Online 3 – 13 June 2021 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Russia Gambit Esports Europe OG
Cologne Hyatt Regency Cologne 6 – 18 July 2021 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Ukraine Natus Vincere Europe G2 Esports
Winter Quality Hotel™ Globe 2 – 12 December 2021 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive France Team Vitality Sweden Ninjas in Pyjamas
Katowice Spodek Arena 15 – 22 February 2022 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Europe FaZe Clan Europe G2 Esports
StarCraft II Finland Serral Italy Reynor

Season XVII
Intel Extreme Masters Season XVII
Event Venue Dates Game Champion Runner-Up
Dallas Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center 30 May – 5 June 2022 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Russia Cloud9 Poland ENCE
Cologne Lanxess Arena 5 – 17 July 2022 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Europe FaZe Clan Ukraine Natus Vincere
Rio Major Jeunesse Arena 31 October – 13 November 2022 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Russia Outsiders Denmark Heroic
Katowice Spodek Arena 31 January - 12 February 2023 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Europe G2 Esports Denmark Heroic
StarCraft II China Oliveira South Korea Maru

Season XVIII
Intel Extreme Masters Season XVIII
Event Venue Dates Game Champion Runner-Up
Rio Jeunesse Arena 17 - 23 April 2023 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Europe Team Vitality Denmark Heroic
Dallas Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center 29 May – 4 June 2023 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Cologne Lanxess Arena 25 July - 6 August 2023 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Fall TBA 16 - 22 October 2023 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

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
  1. "Legacy - Intel Extreme Masters". www.intelextrememasters.com. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  2. "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.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Intel Extreme Masters.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.