ESL has officially announced the long-awaited IEM Melbourne 2025, which will bring Counter-Strike 2 back to the legendary Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. The tournament will take place from April 21 to 27, and its prize pool will amount to $1,000,000. This is an event that eSports and CS2 fans shouldn't miss.

Tournament details

• Dates: April 21-27, 2025
• Venue: Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Australia
• Prize pool: $1,000,000
• Number of teams: 16 best teams in the world

Format:

Group stage: April 21-24.

• 2 groups of 8 teams in Double-Elimination format.
•  All matches are Best of 3. 
• The top 3 from each group advance to the playoffs.

Playoffs: April 25-27.

• 6 teams in Single-Elimination.
•  Quarterfinals and semifinals - Best of 3. 
• Grand Final - Best of 5

Tickets and prices

Tickets for IEM Melbourne 2025 will go on sale on January 23 at 14:00 AEDT via Ticketek.com.au. They can be purchased in three stages, and the selection includes four categories:

General Admission ($189)

• Access to all matches

• Entrance to the IEM Expo

GA+ ($249)

• Includes a branded set of gifts

Premium ($359)

• Premium seats

• Premium set of gifts

God Mode ($1,999)

• Backstage tour

• Food and drink package

• Exclusive seats for spectators

About IEM Melbourne

This will be the first time IEM will be held at Rod Laver Arena, one of Australia's most prestigious venues. After a sell-out in 2023 and a one-year hiatus in 2024, IEM Melbourne 2025 is back with an even bigger scale.

In addition to the best matches, spectators will be able to:

• Visit interactive fan zones
• Immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the IEM Expo
• Take part in special events such as the legendary Caches match, which pits Australia against England in a unique format.

A global stage with high stakes

The tournament will feature 16 invited teams, with places distributed according to the Global Valve Ranking System. The main winner will receive $125,000 and the club will get $160,000, which makes the tournament extremely prestigious.

Why it's worth attending

Whether you are a seasoned CS fan or just discovering the world of esports, IEM Melbourne 2025 will give you unforgettable emotions. From the fierce matches between top teams to the unique atmosphere of Australian fans, this is an event that will make history.