ESL confirmed the dates for the two of the main CS:GO tournaments for 2023, IEM Katowice and Cologne. The $1,000,000 prize pooled flagship events will be hosted by the respective iconic venues, Spodek Arena for the 11th time and LANXESS Arena for the 7th time.
IEM Katowice 2023
Traditionally held in February, IEM Katowice has now been moved two weeks earlier in the calendar. The event will take place between January 31st and February 12th. The Katowice will likely be the first main event of the year for CS:GO. The tickets will be available on September 22, and they will cost between 20 and 175 Euros.
- Venue: Spodek Arena, Katowice
- Play-Ins: January 31-February 1
- Group Stage: February 2–5
- Playoffs: February 10 – February 12
- Number of Teams: 24
- Prize Pool: $1,000,000
IEM Cologne 2023
IEM Cologne 2023 will take place in the second part of the 2023 season, between July 25th and August 6th. These changes will likely make Cologne 2023 the first event after CSPPA’s Summer Player Break (June 12 – July 9), which was moved a month earlier compared to previous years. It was announced in July that the decision to start the break between June 12 and July 9 was made to ease the intensity in the Fall season, and split the year into two more balanced periods. The tickets for this event will vary from 34 to 299 Euros.
- Venue: LANXESS Arena, Cologne
- Play-Ins: July 25–26
- Group Stage: July 27–30
- Playoffs: August 4–6
- Number of Teams: 24
- Prize Pool: $1,000,000
“It’s always an honor to invite fans back to two of the most recognizable esports events worldwide,” said Shaun Clark, Senior Director of Game Ecosystems – CS:GO at ESL FACEIT Group. “We are already bubbling with excitement as we begin our annual planning to host two of the most passionate esports events,”.
