Intel Extreme Master Cologne attracted a record-breaking crowd of 39,000 attendees to witness the showdown between the top Counter-Strike 2 players competing for a $1 million prize pool.
The event reached its peak as Team Vitality emerged victorious in the thrilling Grand Final, narrowly defeating Navi in overtime with a score of 16 to 14. As a first-time observer at the event, I had the opportunity to interview Michal Blicharz, one of the event’s original creators, known as the Cathedral of Counter-Strike.
Held at the iconic LANXESS arena, this year’s IEM Cologne featured the top six Counter-Strike 2 teams competing for the coveted trophy and a share of the $1 million prize pool.
The event attracted 39,000 fans over three days at the Cathedral of Counter-Strike, with over 1,050,000 online viewers witnessing Team Vitality secure their first IEM Cologne trophy, making 2024’s event the most-watched non-Major Counter-Strike competition of the year.
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Team Vitality’s path to victory was filled with hard-fought battles against the best squads in the world. Their Grand Final triumph against Natus Vincere culminated in a tense 3-1 victory, securing their first IEM Cologne title.
The win marked a significant milestone for team captain Dan “apEX” Madesclaire, who participated in the initial IEM event at the LANXESS arena in 2015. The victory brought Team Vitality closer to claiming the Intel Grand Slam and its $1 million prize.
Furthermore, Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut’s exceptional performance earned him the tournament’s DHL ESL Pro Tour Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, showcasing his pivotal role in Team Vitality’s successful Championship run.
Stay tuned for more exciting events in the Intel Extreme Masters series, including IEM Rio in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on October 7-13. For ticket information, visit www.pro.eslgaming.com/tour/cs/rio.
The IEM Cologne 2024 event, organized by ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), set a high standard for esports events, with a focus on enhancing player experiences and engaging fans. EFG partnered with industry leaders like Logitech and DHL, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and innovation in the esports ecosystem.
The success of the IEM Cologne event underlines the continued growth and potential of the esports industry, with a focus on creating memorable experiences for players and fans alike.
