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Aussie fans, are you ready for the best CS2 in the world?
Aussie Counter-Strike fans will be treated to the best CS2 action as ESL heads Down Under in March for IEM Melbourne 2025. The Victorian capital was to play host to an IEM-level event way back in 2020 before COVID saw the tournament canceled.
Now, after nearly five years and several smaller ESL Challenger events, Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena opens its doors to 16 of the world’s best teams. Who will leave Australia as champions?
Here’s everything you need to know about IEM Melbourne 2025: Schedule, team list, standings, and how you can watch!
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IEM Melbourne 2025 format and teams
IEM Melbourne sees top-flight CS2 return to Australia for the second time in three years afterIEM Sydneykicked off a new era of Counter-Strike in 2023.
All teams received invites to IEM Melbourne via VRS rankings on Feb. 2. The 16 teams will be split into two groups of eight, where they’ll play out a GSL double-elimination bracket. The two upper bracket teams will play for a spot in the semis with the loser landing in the quarters. The lower bracket winner will join them in the quarterfinal, meaning three teams per group progress to the finals.
The top six will enter Rod Laver Arena on March 25 and play a single-elimination best-of-three bracket, with the grand final a best-of-five. The champion will walk home $125,000 richer.
News
IEM heads back Down Under with Melbourne set to host tier one CS2 LAN
Australian CS2 fans won’t be missing out on top-tier Counter-Strike in 2025!
Nicholas Taifalos
The home crowd will be represented by FlyQuest, with the Aussie squad landing an invite while Justin “jks” Savage flies the local flag on Team Liquid. Here are the teams attending IEM Melbourne:
Sunday, April 27
Standings
Here is the full standings and prize money on offer at IEM Melbourne 2025:
How to watch IEM Melbourne 2025: All streams
IEM Melbourne is streamed live on Twitch andYouTubeacross two streams: StreamAandB. Full replays will be available after each matchday concludes via the above channels.
For those seeking broadcasts in other languages, head to theevent’s Liquipedia pagefor more. Tickets to attend the event live are now sold out: visitTicketekfor details.
