IEM Dallas 2023 : Everything you need to know

The highly anticipated Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Dallas 2023 is set to kick off, featuring 16 elite Counter-Strike teams from around the world. With a $250,000 prize pool on the line, this S-tier competition promises to be a thrilling week-long showcase of top-tier esports talent. From the participating teams to the schedule and format, here's everything you need to know about this prestigious event.

Participating Teams and Group Stage:

The 16 participating teams have been divided into two groups, Group A and Group B, each consisting of eight teams.

Group A features powerhouses like Heroic, Fnatic, G2 Esports, and FURIA Esports. Heroic, with an impressive 78.9% win rate in the last three months, will be a team to watch after their strong performance at the Paris Major.

Group B includes formidable teams such as FaZe Clan, Evil Geniuses, Astralis, and Cloud9. FaZe Clan, having dominated the ESL Pro League S17, will be aiming for their second S-tier trophy of the year.

Format and Schedule:

The tournament will commence with the Group Stage matches in a double-elimination GSL format. The Group Stage will consist of Best-of-1 matches, while the rest of the tournament will feature Best-of-3 matchups. The top three teams from each group will advance to the Playoffs, with the first-place team from each group securing a spot in the Semifinals.

The Group Stage matches will start daily at 09:00 PT / 12:00 ET / 18:00 CEST. The Playoffs will follow, with exciting quarterfinal, semifinal, and final matches taking place on subsequent days. The tournament is scheduled to run from May 29 to June 4, providing a full week of intense competition.

Keep an Eye Out:

Several teams enter IEM Dallas 2023 with something to prove.

Fnatic will be looking to make a statement after successfully qualifying for Gamers8 with a four-match winning streak.

MOUZ aims to end their five-match losing streak and redeem themselves after recent group-stage eliminations.

OG will compete without AWPer Abdulkhalik “degster” Gasanov, who will be substituted by Iulian “⁠regali⁠” Harjău.

Evil Geniuses, despite an underwhelming performance in 2023, received the Local Hero Invite due to their roster's North American majority.

Notable Absences and Defending Champions:

Team Vitality, the winners of the previous IEM Rio 2023 and BLAST.tv Paris Major, will not be participating in this year's IEM Dallas. However, a host of other highly skilled teams will undoubtedly make up for their absence.

Prize Pool:

The Intel Extreme Masters Dallas 2023 offers a generous prize pool of $250,000 USD, with the following distribution:

1st place: $100,000

2nd place: $42,000

3rd-4th place: $20,000

5th-6th place: $10,000

7th-8th place: $6,000

9th-12th place: $5,000

13th-16th place: $4,000

How to Watch:

Fans around the world can catch all the action from IEM Dallas 2023 via live streams on Twitch and YouTube. Multiple streams will broadcast the Group Stage matches to ensure comprehensive coverage and provide viewers with the flexibility to follow their favorite teams.

Conclusion:

Intel Extreme Masters Dallas 2023 promises to be an electrifying event that brings together 16 top Counter-Strike teams from across the globe. With a sizable prize pool, prestigious teams, and an action-packed schedule, fans can expect a week of thrilling matches. As the teams battle it out on the virtual battlefield, IEM Dallas will undoubtedly showcase the incredible skill, strategy, and excitement that make esports such a captivating phenomenon.