Cologne 2025
The Cathedral of Counter-strike
- 24 Teams
- EPT Championship
- $1,250,000
1 - 3 Aug, 2025Lanxess Arena
EPT ChampionshipIEM Cologne 2025
The Cathedral of Counter-Strike is ready to welcome back 24 of the world's best teams to the Lanxess Arena, where they will compete for the IEM Cologne 2025 title. The second EPT championship of the year is the ground where legends in this game are made. Do you want to witness history in the making? Get your tickets now and be part of this unforgettable experience alongside thousands of other passionate fans.
Tickets
Tickets for IEM Cologne 2025, will be going live in 4 waves starting in October 2024. Compared to previous years, we deployed a few changes to improve your experience.
- We are splitting lower and upper ranks, allowing you to choose your favourite location in the arena. This is also intended to speed up the entrance process inside the arena.
- "Weekend Lower Reserved" tickets include an assigned seat at the lower ranks at level 3. While all other areas are free seating, reserved tickets allow you to peacefully enjoy all the side activities in between matches, knowing you can always return to your assigned seat.
- We are introducing the optional "Cathedral Experience" add-on for every ticket holder. This add-on allows fans from every ticket category to get their hands on highly limited merchandise items, with most items not being available for purchase. Items in this add-on are different from the premium goodie bag, making it an optional add-on for premium ticket holders, too.
Wave 1 - October 24th, 15:00 CEST
Wave 2 - November 25th, 15:00 CET
Wave 3 - January 24th, 15:00 CET
Wave 4 - March 20th, 15:00 CET - LIVE
Please note that the minimum age to attend this event is 16.
Official ticket re-sale
TicketSwap is a platform where you can safely resell & buy your tickets from other fans.
TicketSwap is our trusted source for secondary market ticket transactions, so we recommend you check it out for any ticket opportunities closer to the event.
Tickets Step 1: Choose your distance to the action
Premium
3-day ticket
Weekend Lower Reserved
3-day Ticket
Weekend Lower
3-day Ticket
Weekend Upper
3-day Ticket
Lower Seats
1-day Ticket
Upper Seats
1-day Ticket
God Mode Lounge
3-Day Full Lounge (Min. 10 tickets) or Single Lounge Seats
-
Counter-Strike 2 tournament ticket
-
Access on all three days (August 1-3)
-
Access to a comfortable private lounge
-
Large variety of free drinks incl. alcoholic options
-
Catering and refreshments
-
Dedicated entrance
-
Dedicated on-site support staff
-
Merchandising voucher valued at €150
-
Collectible event coin
-
Behind the scenes and backstage tour
-
Free parking at the venue
-
Attendee badge
-
Get a single ticket to a lounge with like-minded fans, or secure your own private lounge with your friends (minimum 10 persons). 1499€ per person.
Single ticket = 1499€ | If you buy 10 tickets, you will receive your own lounge at a price of 1499€ per person.
Can be purchased separately by
all ticket holders!
Add-onStep 2: Enhance your ticket with an Add-on
Cathedral EXPERIENCEAvailable for all ticket types
99€
What you get?
Dedicated Entry
Presale access
for the next
IEM Cologne
Collectable
Black Coin
IEM Cologne
Event poster
ESL Legacy
T-Shirt
(different designs)
Exclusive to Cathedral Experience
IEM Cologne
T-Shirt
IEM Cologne
Sun Visor
IEM Cologne
Pin
IEM Cologne
Pinback Button
IEM Cologne
Laminated bag
How to buy, if you already have a ticket?
If you have a ticket for IEM Cologne 2025, log in with the details you used to purchase it. Once logged in, you will have the option to buy Cathedral Experience separately.
Schedule
Day #1 - Friday
9:00 ESL Shop Opens
12:00 Outdoors Area Opens
13:00 Lanxess Doors Open
13:30 Inside Arena Doors Open
15:30 Opening Ceremony
15:45 Quarter Final #1 (Bo3)
19:00 Quarter Final #2 (Bo3)
20:30 Outdoor Area Closes
Day #2 - Saturday
10:00 ESL Shop Opens
12:00 Outdoors Area Opens
13:00 Lanxess Doors Open
13:30 Inside Arena Doors Open
15:30 Opening Ceremony
15:45 Semi Final #1 (Bo3)
19:00 Semi Final #2 (Bo3)
20:30 Outdoor Area Closes
Day #3 - Sunday
10:00 ESL Shop Opens
12:00 Outdoors Area Opens
14:30 Lanxess Doors Open
15:00 Inside Arena Doors Open
16:45 Opening Ceremony
17:00 Grand Final (Bo5)
20:30 Outdoor Area Closes
IEM Cologne cashless
In 2025 & onwards
Format and Teams
Stage 1
- 16 team Double-Elimination bracket
- All matches Bo3
- Top 8 teams advanced to Stage 2
Stage 2
- 2 x 8 team Double-Elimination brackets
- All matches Bo3
- Top 3 of each group advance to Playoffs
- Group winners advance to Semifinals
- Group runners-up advance to Quarterfinals as the High Seeds
- Group 3rd place teams advance to Quarterfinals as the Low Seeds
PlayOffs
- 6 team Single-Elimination bracket
- Quarterfinals and Semifinals Bo3
- Grand Final Bo5
Total Winnings: $1,250,000
Place | 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 | - |
- Team invites cut off date: June, 2025
- Stage 1: jul 23 - 25
- 8 teams advance to Stage 2
GamerLegion
VRS Global
FaZe Clan
VRS Global
Astralis
VRS Global
3DMAX
VRS Global
HEROIC
VRS Global
Team Liquid
VRS Global
Virtus.Pro
VRS Global
FURIA Esports
VRS Global
Complexity
VRS Global
Tyloo
VRS Global
MIBR
VRS Global
B8
VRS Global
NIP
VRS Global
BIG
VRS Global
Pain Gaming
VRS Global
FlyQuest
VRS Global
THIS IS IEM COLOGNE
Culminating in the heart of Cologne, the Cathedral of Counter-Strike has become a temple for history making. The event's significance lies in its long-lasting traditions and ability to consistently deliver iconic and memorable moments. With determination to run every year since 2014, IEM Cologne has been the hallowed ground for three CS Majors, bringing together the greatest players and thousands of passionate fans to share and celebrate their love for the game.
The Lanxess Arena has become a venue well known for its roaring crowds and electrifying atmosphere. Up to this day, IEM Cologne remains a beloved event, serving as a showcase of the game's longevity, enduring competitive spirit and the ever evolving world of esports.
Watch IEM Cologne your way
Take control of the official broadcast with FACEIT Watch! Customise your stream with up to 4 player POVs, earn rewards as you watch, and join our skin giveaways every match.
Now available on the FACEIT mobile app and on your TV with Chromecast!
IEM Cologne 2025 collection
Celebrate the magic of IEM Cologne with our IEM Cologne 2025 collection! Sold in limited quantities.
Gallery
Here you can find our wallpapers and some fantastic photography from previous IEM Cologne tournaments.
You can also download full resolution wallpapers from the folder below!
FAQs
Please note that the minimum age to attend this event is 16.
It is not possible to attend the event if you are below the age of 16.
No, tickets are not refundable. Closer to the event we will open an official re-sale for those who cannot attend the event.
We will be releasing a schedule closer to the event, stay tuned!
The only area that has assigned seats is Level 3. Other areas and ticket types (upper and lower ranks, and the infield) are free seating.
No. This year we decided to completely separate upper and lower ranks, so you can only enter the area assigned on your ticket (upper ranks OR Level 3 OR lower ranks OR infield).
The main language for the event and the games commentated inside the arena will be English
Tickets for IEM Cologne 2025, will be going live in 4 waves.
- Wave 1 - October 24th 15:00 CEST
- Wave 2 - TBD
- Wave 3 - TBD
- Wave 4 - TBD
Generally, our events have a free seating model, meaning you can choose any free seat that you want inside your category.
We understand that some people would prefer an assigned seat instead, which is why we are introducing the level 3 seating with assigned seats. The assigned seat in this category allows you to enjoy all the side activities, get food, and spend time in the outdoor area, while keeping your peace of mind, knowing that your seat will still be available once you return.
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As one race ends, another begins. The $1,000,000 derby continues as top-tier teams will look to pick up the next title towards winning the ESL Grand Slam V and forever mark their names in the books of Counter-Strike history.
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