Intel Extreme Masters is one of the most well-known and prestigious tournaments in Counter-Strike. After many years in Katowice, the series' main winter event moved to Kraków, so in 2027 it will once again take place under the IEM Kraków name.
In the new season, top Counter-Strike 2 teams will meet in Poland to compete for the championship title and a significant share of the prize pool. The tournament is set to be one of the biggest esports events of the year.
IEM Kraków 2027
The tournament will take place from January 27 to February 7, 2027, in Kraków. Playoffs are scheduled for February 4–7 at TAURON Arena Kraków.
A total of 24 teams will compete at IEM Kraków 2027. Sixteen teams will start in the opening stage, while eight top teams from the global VRS ranking will advance directly to Stage 2.
The tournament will feature two double-elimination stages followed by an eight-team single-elimination playoff. Quarterfinals and semifinals will be played in a Bo3 format, as will the third-place match, while the Grand Final will be a Bo5.
The IEM Kraków 2027 prize pool is $1.25 million, including $1 million in prize money and $250,000 in Club Reward. The winner will receive $420,000 in prize money plus an additional $80,000 in Club Reward.
The final list of participants will be confirmed after the global VRS ranking is published in January 2027, so the full lineup and tournament favorites have not yet been determined.
History of the IEM Katowice Esport Event (Intel Extreme Masters Kraków)
IEM Katowice has a rich history, starting with its first edition in 2013. This tournament quickly gained popularity and became one of the most anticipated events in esports. Every year it attracts thousands of spectators and millions of online broadcasts.
Since its inception, IEM Katowice has offered a wide range of disciplines, including such popular games as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, League of Legends, Dota 2 and StarCraft II. Annually, the tournament develops new formats and innovative solutions to meet the needs and expectations of players and spectators.
Since 2026, the January tournament of the series has moved to Krakow and been renamed IEM Kraków. In 2027, the competition will continue to be held in the new city, maintaining its status as one of the key tournaments of the ESL Pro Tour.
Results and winners of previous seasons
Over the years, IEM Katowice has produced many unforgettable moments and epic battles. The greatest teams and players in esports have fought for the championship title and rewards that have come to symbolize excellence and success.
The past seasons of IEM Katowice saw impressive results such as several Fnatic victories in CS:GO, SK Telecom T1 dominance in League of Legends and Ilya "Lil" Ilyuk's prowess in Dota 2. Each year brought new heroes and new stories of great victories.
| Year | Venue | Results |
| 2026 | Katowice, Poland | 1st - Team Vitality 2nd - FURIA Esports |
| 2025 | Katowice, Poland | 1st - Team Vitality 2nd - Team Spirit |
| 2024 | Katowice, Poland | 1st - Team Spirit 2nd - FaZe |
2028 IEM Kraków
Although the details of the 2028 tournament are still unknown, it is clear that Intel Extreme Masters Kraków will continue to surprise and delight esports fans. The tournament plans to expand its audience by adding new disciplines and improving interaction with viewers. It is already safe to say that IEM Kraków 2028 will be another milestone in the history of esports.
Keep an eye on the dates of esport tournaments and other sporting events in our Sporting Events Calendar.
