The Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Katowice 2024 event sees 24 of the best Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) teams compete for their share of the $1 million prize pool. We can expect an electrifying atmosphere in Poland, as the iconic tournament series from ESL never disappoints.
Join us as we discuss our CS2 betting predictions for IEM Katowice 2024 and explain all of the must-know event details, including the schedule and participating teams.
Check out the latest CS2 betting odds and visit our CS2 betting guide for tips on making your picks.
IEM Katowice 2024 Schedule & Format
IEM Katowice 2024 runs from Jan. 31 to Feb. 11 as a LAN event in Poland, Katowice. The event has three stages of competition, each with its own format.
Play-In Stage
The CS2 action starts with the Play-In Stage from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2, 2024, with the first matches scheduled for 3:30 p.m. CET | 6:30 a.m. PST. We’ll see 16 teams compete in a double-elimination bracket format. The opening matches are best-of-one (BO1), and all the following matches are best-of-three (BO3). The top eight teams from the Play-In stage advance to the Group Stage of IEM Katowice 2024.
Group Stage
The Group Stage (Feb. 3 to Feb. 6) features two groups of eight teams each and a double-elimination GSL-style format, where all matches are BO3. The first round of Group Stage matches is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. CET | 4:30 a.m. PST. The winner of each group advances to the IEM Katowice 2024 semifinals, while the runners-up advance to the quarterfinals as the high seeds. Teams who place third in each group qualify as the low seeds for the quarterfinals, and the rest are eliminated.
Playoffs
The IEM Katowice 2024 playoffs runs from Feb. 9 to Feb. 11, where the final six teams will compete in a single-elimination bracket. Quarterfinals and semifinals are BO3, and the Grand Final is BO5.
How To Watch IEM Katowice 2024
You can watch every minute of IEM Katowice 2024 via our CS2 betting section, which serves as an all-in-one live betting experience. Just select an IEM Katowice match, and the embedded stream will automatically appear on the left side. Click the “Live Mode” button to increase the size of the stream’s window.
You can also watch IEM Katowice 2024 matches directly from the tournament organizer’s ESLCS Twitch and ESL Counter-Strike YouTube channels.
Teams Competing In IEM Katowice 2024
At IEM Katowice 2024, there are 16 Play-In Stage teams and eight directly qualified teams. Most teams at the event are comfortably in the latest HLTV top 30 rankings, and the entire top 10 are in attendance. Below, you’ll find a complete list of Play-In teams, alongside those who directly qualified for the main event of IEM Katowice 2024.
IEM Katowice Play-In Teams:
- Cloud9
- Heroic
- Virtus.pro
- FURIA Esports
- M80
- Rebels Gaming
- The MongolZ
- Rooster
- Astralis
- BIG
- GamerLegion
- Apeks
- Eternal Fire
- ENCE
- Team Spirit
- BetBoom Team
IEM Katowice Direct Qualification Teams:
- Team Vitality
- FaZe Clan
- G2 Esports
- MOUZ
- Natus Vincere
- Complexity Gaming
- Team Falcons
- Monte
Our Predictions For IEM Katowice 2024
Who will come out on top and who may surprise fans at this year’s IEM Katowice event? Check out our betting predictions to find out.
Please note: Our IEM Katowice 2024 predictions are based on stats, team rankings, historical data, player form heading into the event, and the author’s expert opinion. The predictions should not be interpreted as betting advice to act upon, as past performance does not guarantee future results. Always gamble responsibly.
1. FaZe Clan
There is little doubt that Finn “karrigan” Andersen’s men will pick up multiple CS2 trophies in 2024. While FaZe Clan is currently ranked second globally, and the odds indicate a second-place finish at IEM Katowice 2024, our prediction is a FaZe Clan win.
To do so, they must overcome ZywOo and company while taking revenge for two devastating losses in a row. If any IGL can devise a plan to take down Vitality, it’s Karrigan, especially with the firepower of Robin “ropz” Kool and David “Frozen” Čerňanský in his arsenal.
FaZe Clan roster:
- Robin “ropz” Kool
- Håvard “rain” Nygaard
- Helvijs “broky” Saukants
- David “frozen” Čerňanský
- Finn “karrigan” Andersen (IGL)
2. Team Vitality
Odds indicate Team Vitality is the favorite to win IEM Katowice 2024. They are the top-ranked team globally as of Jan. 23, 2024. They also happen to feature Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut, the best CS2 player in 2023. However, anything can happen on LAN in front of a massive crowd!
We predict Team Vitality will make it to the Grand Final, coming up just short of lifting the IEM Katowice 2024 trophy. All good things come to an end, after all, including Vitality’s impressive win streak.
Team Vitality roster:
- Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut
- Lotan “Spinx” Giladi
- Shahar “flameZ” Shushan
- William “mezii” Merriman
- Dan “apEX” Madesclaire (IGL)
3. Astralis
You may find it shocking to see Astralis as a top-three team in our IEM Katowice 2024 predictions, namely because the legendary Danish organization’s squad only ranks 19th in the world according to HLTV’s Jan. 22 World Ranking update. But if Astralis can build momentum during the Play-In Stage, the team could make a much deeper run than CS2 fans expect. Consider this our bold prediction for IEM Katowice 2024!
Astralis roster:
- Nicolai “dev1ce” Reedtz
- Victor “Staehr” Staehr
- Martin “stavn” Lund
- Jakob “jabbi” Nygaard
- Benjamin “blameF” Bremer
4. MOUZ
With an international roster brimming with talent, MOUZ is currently ranked third globally. However, predicting the team’s current form is tricky, because they’re not competing in BLAST Premier: Spring Groups 2024. Odds indicate MOUZ is a contender, and a top-four finish isn’t out of the question.
The Swedish entry fragger, Ludvig “Brollan” Brolin, is currently on loan to MOUZ from NIP. With Brollan, MOUZ managed a 3rd/4th place finish at the BLAST Premier World Final 2023, beating Cloud9 2-0 before getting eliminated at the hands of FaZe Clan. Brollan’s stint with the team and recent form indicate that MOUZ could make a deep run at IEM Katowice—and maybe even win the event!
MOUZ roster:
- Ádám “torzsi” Torzsás
- Jimi “Jimpphat” Salo
- Dorian “xertioN” Berman
- Kamil “siuhy” Szkaradek
- Ludvig “Brollan” Brolin
Betting On IEM Katowice 2024
As we get closer to the start of IEM Katowice 2024, all eyes are on the 24 teams participating in this much-anticipated event — especially FaZe Clan, Team Vitality, and Astralis. The odds may be in their favor this year, but as every esports fan knows, anything is possible at high-stakes tournaments like this. Could we see some upsets or will our predictions come true?
While we get ready for IEM Katowice 2024, be sure to check out our live CS2 betting section to place wagers on your favorite esports teams and keep up with all of the action.
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