ESL FACEIT Group Renews Multi-Year Partnership With Intel

Key insights

6 takeaways

01
ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) and Intel have renewed their long-standing partnership through a new multi-year deal to support global Counter-Strike 2 competitions.
02
Intel will remain the marquee sponsor for EFG’s Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) and ESL Pro Tour tournament series, extending a collaborative relationship that has spanned 24 years.
03
The announcement precedes the IEM Katowice Grand Finals, scheduled for February 7–9, 2025, at the Spodek Arena in Poland, which features a $1.25 million USD total prize pool.
04
Financial terms of the renewed multi-year agreement were not disclosed by either party.
05
EFG is a subsidiary of Savvy Games Group, which is owned by the Saudi government’s Public Investment Fund.
06
In addition to Intel, EFG maintains major partnerships with brands including Acer Predator, DHL, Qiddiya Gaming, 1XBet, and Zowie.

Summary

The ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) has officially renewed its long-standing partnership with Intel, securing a multi-year agreement to continue their collaboration in the global esports sector. This renewal reinforces a 24-year professional relationship between the two entities, focusing primarily on the support and development of Counter-Strike 2 competitions. While the specific financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed, the partnership ensures that Intel will maintain its status as the marquee sponsor for the Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) and the ESL Pro Tour tournament series.

The scope of this collaboration covers global tournament operations, including the upcoming IEM Katowice event in Poland, which features a total prize pool of $1.25 million USD. By extending this agreement, EFG aims to leverage Intel’s established pedigree within the gaming community to maintain high-quality production standards for its competitive circuits. This strategic move aligns with EFG’s broader operational goals as a subsidiary of Savvy Games Group, which is owned by the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund.

The renewal highlights the continued importance of endemic hardware partnerships in the professional esports landscape. Despite EFG maintaining a diverse portfolio of sponsors—including brands such as DHL, ACER Predator, and Qididiya Gaming—the Intel partnership remains a cornerstone of its competitive ecosystem. The agreement serves to stabilize the infrastructure for top-tier Counter-Strike 2 events, ensuring consistent support for professional teams and tournament production for the foreseeable future.