Chengdu to Host Intel Extreme Masters in 2024

Key insights

6 takeaways

01
ESL FACEIT Group will host the Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) 2024 in Chengdu, China, from April 8-14.
02
The Counter-Strike 2 tournament features a $250,000 USD prize pool and 16 international teams, with the winner qualifying for IEM Cologne 2024.
03
The event will take place at the 12,000-seat Financial City Art Centre, marking ESL's first arena tournament in China in over four years.
04
Chinese tournament organizer VSPO is expected to play a significant role in hosting the event, following a $265 million investment in the company by EFG’s parent firm, Savvy Games Group, in 2023.
05
Chengdu has emerged as a major esports hub, recently hosting the $1.17 million Naraka Bladepoint World Championship, the $9.63 million Honor of Kings World Championship, and the $1.42 million CrossFire Stars.
06
Riot Games has also selected Chengdu to host the 2024 League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational from May 1-19.

Summary

The ESL FACEIT Group has announced that the 2024 Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) tournament will take place in Chengdu, China, from April 8–14. This event marks the return of ESL-hosted arena tournaments to the Chinese market after a four-year hiatus. The competition will feature 16 international teams, including notable organizations such as FaZe Clan, G2 Esports, and Cloud9, competing for a total prize pool of $250,000. The winner will secure a qualification spot for the IEM Cologne 2024 tournament.

The tournament will be held at the 12,000-seat Financial City Art Centre. Industry reports indicate that the Chinese tournament organizer VSPO will play a significant role in the event's execution, following a $265 million investment in the company by Savvy Games Group, the parent company of the ESL FACEIT Group.

Chengdu has emerged as a prominent hub for global esports, hosting several major competitions since late 2023, including the Naraka Bladepoint World Championship, the Honor of Kings World Championship, and the CrossFire Stars tournament. Furthermore, the city is scheduled to host the 2024 League of Legends Mid-Season Invitational in May, underscoring its growing importance in the international esports landscape.