Intel Extreme Masters moves esports tournament from Katowice to Krakow, Poland
ESL FaceIt Group, the esports company owned by Savvy Games Group, said the Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) esports tournament will move from Katowice to Krakow, Poland.
Building on a 19-year-long tradition and legacy of the longest-running professional esports tournament circuit, which began in Hannover, Germany, the landmark Counter-Strike 2 tournament is breaking new ground in Krakow for the very first time. That’s a big deal, as new data shows that IEM events generate upwards of over $40 million in economic impact across their host cities, and upwards of 73% of guests cite ESL esports events as the primary, or only, reason they visited the host city.
The final three days of IEM Krakow will be hosted live at the Tauron Arena on February 6 to February 8, 2026, welcoming thousands of passionate fans to enjoy world-class Counter-Strike action live.
Taking the next step and transferring the ESL Pro Tour Championship event to Krakow is a natural evolution of the tournament and a commitment to meeting the growing expectations of the community eager to watch Counter-Strike on the biggest stages.
The new setting allows for a larger audience and a world-class in-arena experience that continues to push the boundaries of live esports production. As part of a new multi-year agreement, both EFG and the city of Krakow are committed to establishing IEM Krakow as a recurring event in the global esports calendar for years to come.
Players take a bow at IEM Katowice 2024.
“Krakow is a city proud of its royal history, but simultaneously open to the future and innovation. The global reach of Intel Extreme Masters Krakow is a chance to present Krakow to new audiences as an ideal destination for business, tourism, and investment,” said Aleksander Miszalski, mayor of Krakow, in a statement.
“For almost two decades, Intel Extreme Masters has built a heritage full of emotional and defining moments in esports history. From the early days in Hannover to the rise of new legends in Katowice, every stop along the way has left its mark on our legacy,” said Michal Blicharz, VP Product Development at ESL FaceIt Group, in a statement. “Today, as we begin a new chapter of this story, we look forward to continuing it with the world’s best gamers and esports fans, as they add new pages to it in Krakow, on a bigger scale than ever before.”
Fans staying in Krakow will have an unique chance to get up and close to the Intel Extreme Masters trophy on May 30 – June 2, 2025, at Galeria Krakowska. On June 8, the trophy will be available to visitors of Krakow City Hall during an open day and will remain in the city hall for a two-week period.
Commencing on January 27, IEM Krakow will set the stage for the world’s best 24 Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) teams battling it out to secure six coveted spots in the Playoff stage of the competition. With $1,250,000 total winnings on the line and one of the most iconic esports trophies, the tournament is poised to elevate the fan experience while honoring its legacy.
More details on IEM Krakow ticket sales will be available at a later date.
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