Bet on CS2 IEM Events | Prize Pools, Format, Betting Tips

Get ready to witness some of the most prestigious events in the CS2 esports world! Intel Extreme Masters, or IEM, started small but has now turned into a global phenomenon, attracting attention from fans and bettors alike from all corners of the world. While 2023 was a scorcher in terms of transitioning to Counter-Strike 2 and viewership numbers, 2024 will reach even bigger heights!

On the calendar for 2024 IEM events are: IEM Katowice, IEM China, IEM Dallas, IEM Cologne, and IEM Rio. With millions of funds in prize money on the line, there's everything to play for in this new era of CS2 esports. With the stakes high, fans are already scouring for information about the competing teams, match results, and everything else they need to make informed bets before the events kick off.

It's time to gear up and prepare for the CS2 IEM experience of a lifetime with Rivalry at the helm!

A Brief History of IEM

Since it's inception in 2006 by ESL, IEM has become the longest-running pro-game tour worldwide, showcasing events for the most popular online games like StarCraft II, World of Warcraft and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.

In the first-ever IEM season, competitors from 24 different European countries vied for victory in two main esports disciplines: CS:GO and WoW, with a staggering prize pool of 160,000 euros up for grabs. Fast forward to 2013, and the first IEM CSGO main event was held at the Spodek Arena, in Katowice, Poland, featuring 16 of the top teams from around the world. The IEM Katowice event featured a generous $250,000 prize pool. Fnatic took home the inaugural IEM event, triumphing over Ninjas in Pyjamas in the Grand Finals.

IEM Katowice holds a special place in the hearts of fans, being the longest-running IEM tournament, even breaking viewship records in 2017 with over 46 million concurrent viewers tuning in to watch events unfold. With a slew of other professional IEM tournaments like IEM Sydney, IEM Oakland, IEM World Championship, IEM Chicago, and tons more, there's always something to look forward to in the world of IEM.

IEM 2024: Full Schedule

2024 will be kicking off with a bang with IEM Katowice, a fan-favorite event returning to the calendar. Stay tuned for our dedicated event overviews for each tournament, coming soon. 

• IEM Katowice 2024: January 31 - February 11
• IEM Chengdu 2024: April 8 - 14
• IEM Dallas 2024: May 27 - June 2
• IEM Cologne 2024: August 7 - 18
• IEM Rio 2024: October 7 - 13

IEM 2023: Full Schedule

Here was the schedule for the IEM events in 2023. 

• IEM Katowice 2023: February 1 - 12. (Won by G2 Esports with Heroic as the runner-up)
• IEM Rio 2023: April 17 - 23 (Won by Team Vitality with Heroic as the runner-up)
• IEM Dallas 2023: May 29 - June 4 (Won by ENCE with MOUZ as the runner-up)
• IEM Cologne 2023: July 25 - August 6 (Won by G2 Esporrs with ENCE as the runner-up)
• IEM Sydney 2023: October 16 - 22 (Won by FaZe Clan with Complexity Gaming as the runner-up)

Intel Extreme Masters: Tournament Format

Each IEM tournament may have slightly differing formats, adding to the excitement of the event. For example, IEM Dallas tournament format features a Group Stage, with six teams making it to the Playoffs. In contrast, IEM Katowice 2023 had the two aforementioned stages and the earlier Play-In, allowing eight teams to advance to the Group Stage.

IEM Katowice 2024: Format

IEM Katowice had three phases in total: a Play-In, Group Stage, and Playoffs. The Play-In round begins with 24 teams in total, as they compete in a double elimination bracket. Opening matches are Bo1 while following matches are Bo3. 

The top eight teams advance to the Group Stage, in which all sixteen teams are separated into two groups. The top three teams from the Group Stage progress forward to the Playoffs to determine the overall winner. The Playoffs Quarter Finals and Semi Finals are Bo3 while the Grand Finals are Bo5. 

The prize money on the line for IEM Cologne 2024 is $1,000,000 USD.

IEM Rio 2024: Format

IEM Rio 2024 boasts the standard uniform format typically used in every Intel Extreme Masters tournament, with a Group Stage and Playoffs.

The sixteen invited teams are divided into two double-elimination format groups, A and B, consisting of eight teams in each. All opening matches are Bo1 while all following matches are Bo3.

The top six teams advance to the Playoffs, where they compete in a single-elimination bracket, leaving no room for error. All matches in the Playoffs are Bo3. The winning team takes the IEM Rio 2024 title, an automatic qualification for IEM Katowice 2025, and $100K from the overall $250K prize pool.

Where to watch all IEM matches

All IEM matches and future IEM tournaments will be broadcast live in English on the ESL CS:GO Twitch and YouTube channels. There are primary and secondary streams available to accomodate all matches occurring at the same time. It's best to have two monitors so you can watch all the action unfold, without having to miss anything!

Bet on CS2 IEM events with Rivalry!

Are you ready to elevate your esports betting game to the next level? Look no further than Rivalry – the ultimate destination for passionate esports fans. This is the hottest site on the web to bet money on your favorite esports, from League of Legends to Dota 2, we've got all the bases covered.

Whereas some esports betting sites see this as a cash-grab opportunity and look to take advantage of their users, we care about you! We do esports betting unlike any other. Rivalry is:

Fully Licensed and Regulated: Your money is 100% safe with Rivalry. We are fully registered and licensed under the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission, so all bets placed with us are 100% legal.

Made by fans, for fans. We are the first reliable site to have the interests of fellow esports fans at heart. We offer free bets, new promotions, and a responsive 24/7 customer support live chat. Whether you're a seasoned bettor or just starting out, our friendly team is always here to help with any betting queries you may have.

Full of esports betting opportunities and live odds: Rivalry is your one-stop-shop for all things esports betting, with a wide range of opportunities and live odds available. While CS2 is our bread and butter, we also cater to other popular genres like MLBB, Valorant, and more. So, why limit yourself? Join the excitement today and experience the thrill of esports betting with Rivalry!

There are a few reasons why Rivalry are the ultimate fan experience for CS bettors, and are a leader in the esports betting markets:

Easy Deposits and Fast Cashouts

We make it easy for you to get in on the action with instant deposit and payment methods, such as Skrill, Visa, and MasterCard. You can be sure that your transactions will be seamless and hassle-free. And when it's time to cash out your winnings, we make it quick and easy, so you can enjoy your rewards without any delays!

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Same Game Combos

Bring that big brain energy to your betting game! Place Same Game Combo bets on any IEM event and win big, all on the same betting slip. We also offer Same Game Combos on other esport titles like Dota 2 and League of Legends. Read this article for more information.

Promotions and New Account Bonus

We are pleased to offer our new customers a generous welcome bonus alongside their first qualifying bet as a thankyou for joining us. Check our promos page regularly for new bonuses and other benefits!

Live IEM betting odds

From Katowice betting to IEM Dallas and IEM Sydney, we've got all the major IEM events covered, so you don't have to miss a second of the action! We use decimal odds to calculate all the bettings odds on our site. These express the likelihood of a team winning a match. For example, if Team A is listed at 1.5 odds, you could win 1.5 times your original bet upon their victory. This article further explains how to read esports odds correctly if you have doubts.

Different IEM CS2 betting markets

Get ready for some serious excitement during IEM matches with Rivalry's odds on everything from pistol round winners to the outright match winner. As fans ourselves, we know that adding a sprinkle of betting action can make matches even more thrilling. So why wait? Start betting on IEM matches today with Rivalry!

CS2 IEM Esports Betting Guide

With the growing popularity of esports competitions, many fans watching the events may want to add spice to their favorite tournaments, like IEM Sydney and other Intel Extreme Masters events.

That's where Rivalry comes in! We have plenty of betting tips and tricks up our sleeves for all esports events to help you maximize your profits when considering IEM betting. Get your notepad out and pay attention! The keystone to making informed CS2 bets and raking in the profits is simply doing your research and ensuring all the information you are presented with is accurate and up-to-date.

Analyze Everything

Collect as much information and statistics as possible to make more informed wages when picking a team to place bets on. It would help if you considered the following factors: a team's overall rating, match history, rosters, and their player's individual profiles and successes. Certain teams may excel in other areas, like pistol rounds.

Rivalry Academy

Our first-of-a-kind learning resource Rivalry Academy is there to help you get to grips with esports betting, whether you're new to esports betting markets or an experienced veteran wanting a refresher. From videos on how to read esports betting odds to general tips and tricks - we've got you covered!

Watch Old Streams

If your favorite team is competing against an unknown team you need to learn more about, check out their match history by watching previous games on YouTube. Having as much information as possible is the best way to make informed betting predictions, so do your research!

Knowledge is power

Read our news blog, Google player's individual stats, watch their YouTube channels, and even check out their Liquidpedia page for a full breakdown. Gather all the relevant information you need from the players and IEM CS:GO experts before placing your bets.

FAQs about IEM betting

Is betting on Counter-Strike legal?

Yes! We are a fully licensed and regulated betting site registered under the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive betting practices are entirely legal, so rest assured that all bets placed with Rivalry are 100% legal and fully compliant with the law. 

Do you offer any bonuses for betting on IEM events?

We provide new customers with their first deposit for free, as a welcome offer and token of gratitude for choosing us as their CS betting site.

How can I deposit?

Rivalry offers a wide range of depositing options to accommodate our users, some of which are instant: MasterCard, Visa, Skrill, Alipay, and tons more. We even offer cryptocurrency options like Bitcoin, so no-one misses out!

Can I bet on IEM from my smartphone?

We recognize that many of our users and CS:GO ESL bettors may choose to place bets from their mobile devices. Your safety is always our #1 priority, so you can place bets on the go with Rivalry. If you're from Ontario, download "Rivalry - Esports Betting" from the iOS App Store.

What country do I need to be from to bet with Rivalry?

Rivalry supports most countries getting involved in Valorant betting, including Brazil and the Philippines. For your convenience, here's our list of UNSUPPORTED regions. If your country is not on the list, you can create an account and start betting!

Who are the favorite teams for IEM Rio? 

Squads to watch at IEM Rio 2024 include: FaZe Clan, Natus Vincere, and Team Vitality as the top three favorite teams.