The Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Dallas 2025, a premier event in the Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) competitive circuit, kicks off on May 19 and runs through May 25. Hosted by ESL at DreamHack Dallas in the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, this tournament is the third major international IEM event of the 2025 season, following IEM Katowice and IEM Melbourne. With a $300,000 prize pool and intense competition among 16 top-tier teams, IEM Dallas promises thrilling action for esports fans.
Tournament Structure and Format
IEM Dallas 2025 features a well-organized format that ensures high-stakes matches from start to finish. The tournament begins with a Group Stage, dividing the 16 teams into two groups (A and B) of eight. Each group follows a double-elimination (GSL) format, with all matches played as best-of-three (Bo3). The progression from the Group Stage to the Playoffs works as follows:
- Group winners advance directly to the Semi-finals.
- Second-place teams move to the Quarter-finals as High Seeds.
- Third-place teams proceed to the Quarter-finals as Low Seeds.
- The remaining teams are eliminated.
The Playoffs, held from May 23 to 25, adopt a single-elimination bracket. Quarter-finals and Semi-finals are Bo3, while the Grand Final is a gripping best-of-five (Bo5) showdown.
Prize Pool Breakdown
The $300,000 prize pool is distributed among all 16 participating teams, with additional club bonuses awarded based on performance. The breakdown is as follows:
- 1st: $125,000 + $160,000 club bonus
- 2nd: $50,000 + $100,000 club bonus
- 3rd-4th: $25,000 + $80,000 club bonus
- 5th-6th: $12,500 + $60,000 club bonus
- 7th-8th: $7,000 + $40,000 club bonus
- 9th-12th: $5,000 + $20,000 club bonus
- 13th-16th: $4,000 + no club bonus
This structure rewards excellence while ensuring all teams receive a share of the prize.
Competing Teams
The 16 teams competing in IEM Dallas 2025 represent a mix of direct invites and regional qualifiers, showcasing global talent. Direct invites, based on Valve Regional Standings (VRS), include:
- G2 Esports: huNter-, malbsMd, Snax, HeavyGod, hades
- Team Vitality: apEX, ZywOo, flameZ, mezii, ropz
- FaZe Clan: rain, karrigan, frozen, EliGE, s1mple
- Aurora Gaming: XANTARES, MAJ3R, Wicadia, woxic, jottAAA
- MOUZ: torzsi, xertioN, Jimpphat, Brollan, Spinx
- Team Liquid: NAF, Twistzz, ultimate, NertZ, siuhy
- FURIA: yuurih, KSCERATO, FalleN, molodoy, YEKINDAR
- The MongolZ: bLitz, Techno4K, 910, mzinho, Senzu
Regional qualifiers from Europe, North America, South America, and Asia include:
- Team Falcons: Magisk, NiKo, TeSeS, kyxsan, m0NESY
- BC.Game Esports: pr1metapz, nawwk, nexa, CYPHER, Perfecto
- 3DMAX: Lucky, Ex3rcice, Maka, Graviti, bodyy
- GamerLegion: ztr, Tauson, PR, REZ, acoR
- HEROIC: SunPayus, LNZ, yxngstxr, xfl0ud, tN1R
- NRG: oSee, HexT, nitr0, Jeorge, br0
- Legacy: latto, dumau, saadzin, n1ssim, lux
- Lynn Vision Gaming: westmelon, z4kr, EmiliaQAQ, Starry, C4LLM3SU3
Notably, prominent teams like NAVI and Team Spirit are absent, likely due to scheduling conflicts.
Top Contenders
Team Vitality enters as a leading favorite, having dominated IEM Katowice and IEM Melbourne earlier in 2025. With players like ZywOo and apEX, and a commanding 2,117 VRS points, they are a force to be reckoned with. Team Falcons, ranked third globally, are another team to watch, having finished second to Vitality at BLAST Rivals Spring 2025 and IEM Melbourne. Their roster, featuring stars like m0NESY and NiKo, makes them a strong challenger.
Event Schedule
IEM Dallas 2025 spans six days of intense competition, with the following schedule (times in BST):
Group Stage – Group A
- May 19:
- 5:30 PM: 3DMAX vs. GamerLegion
- 8:00 PM: Team Vitality vs. Legacy
- 10:30 PM: G2 Esports vs. Lynn Vision Gaming
- May 20:
- 1:00 AM: FURIA vs. The MongolZ
- 5:30 PM & 7:00 PM: Lower Bracket Quarter-finals (TBD)
- 5:30 PM & 7:00 PM: Upper Bracket Semi-finals (TBD)
- May 21:
- 4:30 PM: Lower Bracket Semi-finals (TBD)
- 9:30 PM: Lower Bracket Final (TBD)
- 9:30 PM: Upper Bracket Final (TBD)
Group Stage – Group B
- May 19:
- 5:30 PM: Team Liquid vs. FaZe Clan
- 8:00 PM: MOUZ vs. BC.Game Esports
- 10:30 PM: HEROIC vs. Aurora Gaming
- May 20:
- 1:00 AM: Team Falcons vs. NRG
- 9:30 PM: Lower Bracket Quarter-final (TBD)
- May 21:
- 12:00 AM: Lower Bracket Quarter-final (TBD)
- 9:30 PM & 12:00 AM: Upper Bracket Semi-finals (TBD)
- 7:00 PM: Lower Bracket Semi-finals (TBD)
- May 22:
- 12:00 AM: Lower Bracket Final (TBD)
- 12:00 AM: Upper Bracket Final (TBD)
Playoffs
- May 23:
- 7:15 PM: Group B 2nd vs. Group A 3rd
- 10:15 PM: Group A 2nd vs. Group B 3rd
- May 24:
- 7:15 PM: Group A 1st vs. TBD
- 10:15 PM: Group B 1st vs. TBD
- May 25:
- 8:00 PM: Grand Final (TBD vs. TBD)
Anticipated Highlights
With powerhouses like Team Vitality, Team Falcons, MOUZ, and FaZe Clan in the mix, IEM Dallas 2025 is set to deliver unforgettable moments. Vitality’s recent dominance makes them the team to beat, but Falcons are hungry for a breakthrough victory. Teams like Aurora Gaming and G2 Esports could also surprise with standout performances. With $300,000 and global prestige on the line, fans can expect intense battles and jaw-dropping plays at DreamHack Dallas.
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