The hunt for the prestigious ESL Grand Slam is back, and the competition heats up at IEM Dallas 2025. Following Team Vitality’s recent triumph at IEM Melbourne, where they claimed the $1 million prize, the tournament organizer has reset the challenge, giving teams another shot at glory.
A Fresh Start for Counter-Strike’s Elite
IEM Dallas, running from May 19th to 25th as part of DreamHack Dallas, marks the beginning of the sixth ESL Grand Slam race. Sixteen top-tier teams will battle for a $300,000 prize pool, with the event serving as the first of five needed victories to secure the Grand Slam. Notably, three past champions will be among the contenders.
To claim the ultimate prize, a team must win three ESL Pro Tour Masters events and one EPT Championship within ten consecutive tournaments. The reward? A $1 million payout and a set of gold bars—a testament to dominance in competitive Counter-Strike.
Key Events in the Grand Slam Race
Alongside IEM Dallas, several major tournaments will contribute to the ESL Grand Slam standings:
- IEM Cologne
- ESL Pro League Season 22
- IEM Chengdu
- ESL Pro League Season 23
Each event presents another opportunity for teams to edge closer to esports immortality.
Past Champions of the ESL Grand Slam
Since its inception in 2017, only five teams have conquered the grueling Grand Slam challenge:
- Astralis (December 2018) – The first-ever winners
- Team Liquid
- NAVI
- FaZe Clan
- Team Vitality – The latest champions after their thrilling IEM Melbourne victory
The initiative, open to all teams in ESL FACEIT Group’s Counter-Strike circuit, rewards consistency and excellence across high-stakes international tournaments. With the race reset, the question now is: Who will be the next to etch their name in Grand Slam history?
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