It’s happening. After four years, Intel Extreme Masters is finally headed back to Sydney, Australia, as part of SXSW Sydney. The tournament will host some of the world's best esports teams from October 20-22 as they compete in Counter-Strike 2.
Intel and ESL partnered to create IEM in 2006, making it the longest-running global gaming tour. Next week's tournament will feature 16 ESL teams, including the likes of Faze Clan, Cloud9, and Fnatic. Each team will vie to take home the coveted IEM Sydney Trophy that was won by Team Liquid during the last Intel Extreme Masters tournament in Sydney back in 2019. While players of the last IEM Sydney competed in CS:GO, the upcoming tournament will be the very first played in the just-launched Counter-Strike 2.
Although tickets to this week's IEM are already sold out, the event will stream live on Twitch and YouTube starting October 20 at 3:30PM Sydney time. Whether you’re at the event or on the other side of the world, you can tune in to see next-level Counter-Strike play. Additionally, several members of the Intel Gaming Alliance will be livestreaming their experiences at IEM.
Intel has found another way to include fans who aren’t able to attend the event. Fans can visit intel.gg/iem to shop deals on gaming PCs and components from Intel and its partners, including Acer Predator, HP Omen, and more.
For those attending the Intel Extreme Masters tournament or SXSW Sydney, Intel has even more to do during the tournament and in the days leading up to it. You can drop by the Intel booth to play in some Counter-Strike 2 tournaments of your own, test out high-end gaming PCs from Intel’s partners — like Acer Predator — or snag signatures from some of the pro esports teams.
And this is all just what Intel has announced ahead of the event. Don't be too shocked if Intel has some surprises planned during the tournament!
The Intel booth will be open at the following dates and times:
- Wednesday, October 18: 10-5
- Thursday, October 19: 10-5
- Friday, October 20: 10-5
- Saturday, October 21: 10-4
Intel is also promoting a special initiative in partnership with eWaste Sydney to let attendees go green and game on. Visitors will be able to bring in old electronics and PC parts for recycling at the Intel booth from October 18 to 21, and they’ll get a free game in exchange while supplies last.
So, if you’re attending Intel Extreme Masters of SXSW Sydney, be sure to pop over to the Intel booth. For those unable to attend, remember to tune in on Twitch or YouTube and check for new deals throughout the event.
