Can you feel the hype, the pageantry, the absolute cinema? That’s what we expect from IEM Cologne, also known as the “Cathedral of Counter-Strike!” We’re incredibly excited for IEM Cologne 2025 to start on July 23, as it is the first S-Tier event featuring all the top Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) teams following the BLAST.tv Austin Major.
We’ve gathered all the essential details to guide you through this year’s IEM Cologne, including the format, schedule, prize pool distribution, teams competing, and our expert betting predictions.
IEM Cologne 2025 Schedule & Format
Running from July 23 to Aug. 3, IEM Cologne 2025 features three distinct stages of competition. The action begins with 16 teams competing in the Play-In Stage (July 23-25). These matches are best-of-three, with a double-elimination format where the top eight teams advance to the Group Stage.
The Group Stage (July 26-30) features two double-elimination (GSL-style) groups of eight teams each. All matches are best-of-three, with the top three teams from each group advancing to the Playoffs Stage. Group Stage winners will earn spots in the Semifinals, runners-up will be the High Seeds in the Quarterfinals, and 3rd-place teams will be the Low Seeds in the Quarterfinals.
The Playoffs Stage (Aug. 1-3) will take place in front of a roaring crowd at the iconic LANXESS Arena in Cologne, Germany. Teams will compete in a single-elimination bracket, where the Quarterfinals and Semifinals are best-of-three, and the Grand Final is best-of-five.
For exact match start times/dates in your region, visit our IEM Cologne 2025 CS2 betting section.
Prize Pool Distribution
Here’s how the prize pool will be distributed at IEM Cologne 2025.
| Placement | Prize Money | Club Reward |
| 1st | $400,000 | $60,000 |
| 2nd | $180,000 | $36,000 |
| 3rd/4th | $80,000 | $28,000 |
| 5th/6th | $40,000 | $21,000 |
| 7th/8th | $24,000 | $14,000 |
| 9th-12th | $16,000 | $7,000 |
| 13th-16th | $10,000 | – |
| 17th-20th | $4,500 | – |
| 21st-24th | $2,500 | – |
| Total | $1,250,000 | |
How To Watch IEM Cologne 2025
At Thunderpick, fans have access to a fantastic viewing experience via our CS2 betting section. It’s filled to the brim with all the top-tier matches and opportunities to place wagers.
When IEM Cologne 2025 matches begin, navigate to the “Live” tab and select any game you want to watch. You’ll see a live stream and our bet slip, allowing all registered users to place in-play wagers while enjoying the tournament.
Alternatively, you can stream the event live on ESL’s Twitch and YouTube channels.
Teams Competing In IEM Cologne 2025
Based on Valve’s Global Standings (June 2025), a total of 24 teams have received invites to IEM Cologne 2025. Eight teams were directly invited to the Group Stage, while another 16 will duke it out in the Play-In Stage for the final eight spots in the Group Stage. We’ve listed the 16 Play-In Stage teams first, followed by the top eight teams who are ready and waiting in the Group Stage.
Play-In Stage teams:
- HEROIC
- FaZe Clan
- Astralis
- GamerLegion
- 3DMAX
- Team Liquid
- Virtus.pro
- FURIA
- Complexity
- TYLOO
- MIBR
- B8
- FlyQuest
- paiN Gaming
- BIG
- Ninjas in Pyjamas
Group A Direct Invites
- Team Vitality
- Team Falcons
- The MongolZ
- G2 Esports
Group B Direct Invites
- MOUZ
- Team Spirit
- NAVI
- Aurora Gaming
Our Predictions For IEM Cologne 2025
To make our IEM Cologne 2025 predictions, we considered several factors, including team matchup histories, current player form, recent tournament results, and World Rankings.
As the first event for many of these teams following the player break, there were also numerous impactful roster changes, which fans refer to as “rostermania.” This all made predicting the outcome of IEM Cologne 2025 a thrilling venture, so let’s dive in!
Important: These predictions reflect the perceived strength of teams based on historical trends and the latest available odds. This analysis should not be interpreted as betting advice. Past performance does not guarantee future outcomes. Always gamble responsibly.
Team Vitality
Sitting comfortably on top of the world rankings, Team Vitality is our top pick to win IEM Cologne 2025. They also just so happen to be the defending champions. Led by three-time Major winner apEX, Vitality has won seven S-Tier tournaments in a row. With the great ZywOo wielding the “Big Green” and picking up several MVP awards this year, as well as Estonian superstar rifler, ropz, this squad has more than enough firepower to go all the way.
Many fans would consider Vitality getting knocked out before the Grand Final a massive upset. It really feels like their era right now, and with zero roster changes during the player break, we see no reason to doubt the squad’s form.
Team Vitality roster:
- Robin “ropz” Kool
- Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut
- Shahar “flameZ” Shushan
- William “mezii” Merriman
- Dan “apEX” Madesclaire (IGL)
- Rémy “XTQZZZ” Quoniam (Coach)
MOUZ
As the #2 team in the world going into Cologne, MOUZ has been consistent throughout the year. With a win at PGL Cluj-Napoca and notable 2nd-place finishes at EPL S21, IEM Dallas, and BLAST Open Lisbon, this team is a proven powerhouse.
At the Austin Major, they narrowly lost to the eventual winners, Team Vitality, in the Semifinals after knocking out Team Spirit in a dramatic reverse-sweep. If IGL Brollan can continue with his fantastic calls on the server, and the squad can keep up their solid form, MOUZ can make it to the Grand Final of IEM Cologne 2025. They are one of the few teams in the world that have the potential to break Team Vitality’s winning streak in Grand Finals.
MOUZ roster:
- Ádám “torzsi” Torzsás
- Dorian “xertioN” Berman
- Jimi “Jimpphat” Salo
- Lotan “Spinx” Giladi
- Ludvig “Brollan” Brolin (IGL)
- Dennis “sycrone” Nielsen (Coach)
The MongolZ
The MongolZ continue to exceed expectations. They had 3rd- and 4th-place finishes at IEM Dallas and IEM Melbourne, as well as a brilliant run at the Austin Major that resulted in a Grand Final appearance, only to lose in a reverse-sweep at the hands of Team Vitality.
One of the reasons The MongolZ keep winning at the upper echelons of CS2 is that they’ve stuck together through thick and thin. In doing so, they’re able to hone their teamwork and tactics, unlike many other top teams that regularly undergo off-season changes. The squad hasn’t made any roster or head coach changes since September 2023, when star rifler Senzu joined the team. IEM Cologne 2025 could be the tournament where The MongolZ lift one of the most iconic trophies in CS history.
The MongolZ roster:
- Usukhbayar “910” Banzragch
- Azbayar “Senzu” Munkhbold
- Sodbayar “Techno4K” Munkhbold
- Ayush “mzinho” Batbold
- Garidmagnai “bLitz” Byambasuren (IGL)
- Erdenedalai “maaRaa” Bayanbat (Coach)
Team Spirit
As the only squad on our list of top four picks to have made a roster change during the player break, Team Spirit appears hungry for success. On July 7, Spirit bid farewell to one of the longest-standing players in their roster, Boris “magixx” Vorobyev, and welcomed Ivan “zweih” Gogin, previously from Nemiga Gaming.
If the 2024 Player of the Year, Danil “donk” Kryshkovets, remains in top form, there are few who could stand in this team’s way. However, it remains to be seen how the roster change will impact their chances. The change could propel them to victory, or if zweih has not yet acclimated to the squad, they could exit early.
Team Spirit roster:
- Danil “donk” Kryshkovets
- Dmitriy “sh1ro” Sokolov
- Myroslav “zont1x” Plakhotja
- Ivan “zweih” Gogin
- Leonid “chopper” Vishnyakov (IGL)
- Sergey “hally” Shavayev (Coach)
Get Ready For IEM Cologne 2025
Will Team Vitality continue on their massive tournament win streak? How will roster changes in many of the top teams shake up the rankings? Could an underdog emerge to claim the coveted trophy? These are questions IEM Cologne 2025 will answer, and we simply cannot wait to see what happens!
Join us in the hype by visiting our CS2 betting page! Watch the matches live and place in-play wagers on IEM Cologne 2025 with your preferred cryptocurrency.
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