Updated: October 23 (added final results).

Intel Extreme Masters returns to Sydney for the first time since 2019. After four years, a big reunion is on the cards, as well as the dawn of a new era as the first major CS tournament following Counter-Strike 2's launch on September 27, 2023.

In the past, Australia has seen some historic teams crowned as champions, including FaZe Clan and Team Liquid. Which team will hold the next title as the first champions of the Counter-Strike 2 era and get the lion's share of the $250,000 prize pool? We have all the answers.

Keep reading for all the latest info on IEM Sydney 2023, including the tournaments format, all 16 teams competing, the full schedule, and current standings. Let's dive in!

IEM Sydney 2023: Format

Like all Intel Extreme Masters events, the tournament is split into the Group Phase and the Playoffs.

Group Stage

• Sixteen teams are split into two double-elimination format groups.
• Opening matches are Bo1, while all following matches are Bo3
• The top three teams from each group advance to the Semifinals
• Runners-up advance as High Seeds to the Quarterfinals while the 3rd place teams are Low Seeds.

Playoffs

• Six teams advance to the playoffs to complete in a single elimination bracket.
• All matches, including the Grand Final, are Bo3.

IEM Sydney 2023: Teams

Sixteen teams will compete in the IEM Sydney Group Stage. Some teams automatically received invites as ESL Partner Teams or through their ESL World Ranking. Other teams fought tooth and nail through their regions' respective qualifiers. Grayhound Gaming is an exception, having received a Local Hero Invite as an Australian team representing their home turf.

Here are all the teams competing in the IEM Sydney event, including their complete player rosters by in-game name.

ESL Partner Team

• ENCE: Snappi, dycha, maden, SunPayus, NertZ
• FaZe Clan: rain, borky, Twistzz, karrigan, ropz
• G2 Esports: huNter-, NiKo, m0NESY,jks, HooXi
• MOUZ: frozen, torzsi, xertioN, siuhy, Jimpphat
• Natus Vincere: s1mple, b1t, Aleksib, jL, iM
• Team Vitality: apEX, ZywOo, Magisk, Spinx, flameZ

ESL World Ranking

• Cloud9: sh1ro, Ax1Le, HObbit, electroNic, Perfecto
• GameLegion: isak, acoR, Keoz, volt, Snax
• Monte: Woro2k, DemQQ, kRaSnaL, sdy, br0
• Fnatic: KRIMZ, mezii, roeJ, afro, dexter

Regional Qualifier

• Grayhound Gaming (Local Hero Invite): Sico, INS, aliStair, Liazz, Vexite
• VERTEX Esports Club (Oceanic Qualifier): pz, BRACE, malta, ADDICT, HaZR
• Apeks (European Qualifier): nawwk, jkaem, kyxsan, CacaNito, sense
• BetBoom Team (European Qualifier): nafany, KaiR0N-, s1ren, zorte,danistzz
• Complexity Gaming (NA Qualifier): JT, floppy, Grim, hallzerk, EliGE
• Lynn Vision Gaming (Asian Qualifier): westmelon, z4kr, Starry, EmiliaQAQ, Jee

IEM Sydney 2023: Tickets and How to Watch

The IEM Sydney 2023 playoffs and Grand Slam IV will be hosted at the Aware Super Theatre. Now, fans get to watch the action unfold live! Any tickets for IEM Sydney 2023 guarantee a seat to watch the events live and offer access to the SXSW Sydney Tech & Innovation Expo and the IEM expo. Age restriction is 15+ only, so bear that in mind before booking your ticket.

There will be primary and secondary Twitch streams covering all the games simultaneously, titled ESLCS and ESLCSb, respectively. For your convenience, the main ESL Counter-Strike YouTube channel is also embedded below as the main hot spot for playoff matches.

IEM Sydney 2023: Schedule

Below, you'll find the schedules for the Group Stage. The playoff schedule will be added later when all participants have been decided. The winner of IEM Sydney also gets an automatic invite to IEM Katowice 2024 next year, so there's everything to play for!

All times will be in AEST, and match winners will be in bold.

IEM Sydney 2023: Group Stage Schedule

Group A

October 16 - Upper Bracket Quarterfinals

• 10:00 AM: Natus Vincere v Apeks
• 10:00 AM: MOUZ v VERTEX Esports Club
• 11:15 AM: BetBoom Team v Team Vitality
• 11:15 AM: FaZe Clan v GamerLegion

October 16 - Upper Bracket Semifinals

• 3:00 PM: BetBoom Team v GamerLegion
• 6:30 PM: MOUZ v Natus Vincere

October 16 - Lower Bracket Quarterfinals

• 3:00 PM: Apeks v VERTEX Esports Club
• 6:30 PM: Team Vitality v FaZe Clan

October 17 - Lower Bracket Semifinal

• 3:30 PM: FaZe Clan v Natus Vincere
• 6:30 PM: Apeks v GamerLegion

October 18 - Upper Bracket Final

• 3:00 PM: BetBoom Team v MOUZ

October 18 - Lower Bracket Final

• 3:00 PM: GamerLegion v FaZe Clan

October 16 - Upper Bracket Quarterfinals

• 12:30 PM: ENCE v Lynn Vision
• 12:30 PM: Cloud9 v Fnatic
• 1:45 PM: Monte v Complexity Gaming
• 1:45 PM: Grayhound Gaming v G2 Esports

October 17 - Lower Bracket Quarterfinals

• 11:30 AM: Lynn Vision v Cloud9
• 11:30 AM: Monte v Grayhound Gaming

October 17 - Upper Bracket Semifinals

• 3:30 PM: ENCE v Fnatic
• 6:30 PM: Complexity Gaming v G2 Esports

October 18 - Lower Bracket Semifinal

• 11:30 AM: Complexity Gaming v Cloud9
• 11:30 AM: Monte v Fnatic

October 18 - Upper Bracket Final

• 6:30 PM: G2 Esports v ENCE

October 18 - Lower Bracket Final

• 6:30 PM: Complexity Gaming v Monte

IEM Sydney 2023: Playoffs Schedule

October 20 - Quarterfinals

• 2:30 PM: BetBoom Team v Complexity Gaming
• 5:30 PM: FaZe Clan v ENCE

October 21 - Semifinals

• 2:30 PM: G2 Esports v Complexity Gaming
• 5:30 PM: MOUZ v FaZe Clan

October 22 - Grand Final

• 5:30 PM: Complexity Gaming v FaZe Clan

Final Thoughts

That's all the information we have on IEM Sydney 2023. Watch this space as we'll update this article after every match day with the winners, standings, and schedule changes.

Feel free to check out our dedicated betting guide to all IEM events, including our favorite teams to win, betting tips, and a history of Intel Extreme Masters events. If you're betting on IEM Sydney 2023, why not try our Same Game Combos for esports? Read this article for more info!