Cologne 2023

THE CATHEDRAL OF COUNTER-STRIKE

  • 24 Teams
  • CS:GO Championship
  • $1,000,000

04.08. - 06.08.2023Lanxess Arena

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ESL Pro Tour ChampionshipIEM Cologne Returns!

It's this time of the year again when players and fans across the globe are getting ready to attend Europe's biggest CS:GO esports happening at IEM Cologne, The Cathedral of Counter-Strike. For 24 teams, there is once again a whole lot at stake. $1M prize money and another win in the Intel Grand Slam, but above all, one of the most prestigious titles around: The EPT Championship. 

New Trailer

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TICKETS

Start of Early Bird: September 27th 15:00 CEST

Start of Wave 1: January 5th 15:00 CET 

Start of Wave 2: Tuesday, April 4th, 15:00 CEST

TICKET PRICES INCREASE APRIL 4TH 15:00 CEST, NO MORE PREMIUM TICKETS WILL BE RELEASED
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Single Day

wave 2

45€ - 59€ Friday (Sat&Sun sold out)
Tickets
  • CS:GO tournament ticket
  • Access to either Friday, Saturday or Sunday
  • Free seating: upper & lower ranks
  • Access to signing sessions
Only Friday left

Weekend Regular

wave 2

119€ Three day ticket
SOLD OUT
  • CS:GO tournament ticket
  • Access on all three days (August 4-6)
  • Free seating: upper & lower ranks
  • Access to signing sessions
Sold Out

Premium

Wave 2

329€ Three day ticket
SOLD OUT
  • CS:GO tournament ticket
  • Access on all three days (August 4-6)
  • Premium seating in front of the stage
  • Access to signing sessions
  • Premium goodie bag
  • Premium attendee badge
  • Free drinks (water, soft-drinks & Beer)
  • Close to the player walk-in
SOLD OUT

Weekend Plus

WAVE 2

169€ Three day ticket
Sold Out
  • CS:GO tournament ticket
  • Access on all three days (August 4-6)
  • Free seating: upper & lower ranks
  • Access to signing sessions
  • Plus goodie bag
  • Plus attendee badge
Sold Out

God Mode Lounge

Full Lounge or Single Lounge Seats

1199€ Three day lounge access
TICKETS
  • CS:GO tournament ticket
  • Access on all three days (August 4-6)
  • Access to a comfortable private lounge
  • Access to signing sessions
  • Large variety of free drinks incl alcoholic options
  • Catering and refreshments
  • Dedicated entrance
  • Dedicated onsite support staff
  • Merchandising voucher valued at €150
  • Collectible event coin
    This is a tooltip
  • 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 (5-10 persons).
Please note that the minimum age to attend this event is 16+.

Schedule

Times for early check-in (PLUS & PREMIUM only) & ESL Shop early access (open to public):
Thursday 15:00 - 19:00

Friday 4th August

Quarter Finals
Time CEST
ESL Shop opens
10:00
Outdoors Area opens
12:30
Lanxess outer doors open
13:00
Inside Arena doors open
13:30
Quarter Final #1
15:30
Quarter Final #2
19:00
Outdoor Area closes
20:30

Saturday 5th August

Semi Finals
Time CEST
ESL Shop opens
10:00
Outdoor Area opens
12:30
Lanxess outer doors open
13:00
Inside Arena doors open
13:30
Semi Final #1
15:30
Semi Final #2
19:00
Outdoor Area closes
20:30

Sunday 6th August

Grand Final
Time CEST
ESL Shop open
10:00
Outdoor Area opens
12:30
Lanxess outer doors open
13:30
Inside Arena doors open
14:00
Grand Final
16:00
Outdoor Area closes
20:30
Everything remains subject to roster disbands/acquisitions and changes to tournament participants/formats.
Cut-off date: 12th June

G2 Esports

EPT Championship Winner

FAZE Clan

ESL Pro League S17 Winner

Team Vitality

IEM Rio Winner

TBD

IEM Dallas Winner

TBD

ESL World Ranking Global

TBD

ESL World Ranking Global

TBD

ESL World Ranking Global

TBD

ESL World Ranking Global

TBD

Play-In Top 8

TBD

Play-In Top 8

TBD

Play-In Top 8

TBD

Play-In Top 8

TBD

Play-In Top 8

TBD

Play-In Top 8

TBD

Play-In Top 8

TBD

Play-In Top 8

Format

Play-In

  • 16 Team Double Elimination
  • Opening Matches Bo1
  • All other Matches Bo3
  • 8 Teams advanced to the main event

Group Stage

  • 2 x 8 Team Double Elimination
  • Top 3 of each group to Playoffs
  • All Matches Bo3
PlayOffs
  • 2 Teams directly to Semifinals
  • 4 Teams to Quarterfinals
  • All Matches Bo3
  • Grand Final Bo5

Prize pool Distribution

Prize Money
Total
$1,000,000
1st
$400,000
2nd
$180,000
3rd-4th
$80,000
5th-6th
$40,000
7th-8th
$24,000
9th-12th
$16,000
13th-16th
$10,000
17th-20th
$4,500
21st-24th
$2,500

THIS IS IEM COLOGNE

Culminating in the heart of Cologne, the Cathedral of Counter-Strike has become a temple for witnessing history.

Excellence, precision and countless hours of dedication welcome those worthy to compete within the renowned LANXESS arena. Reverberating in the chests of thousands of fans every year, the Cathedral of Counter-Strike quakes with the greatest, undeniably passionate fans that esports has to offer.

There’s a reason Cologne is known as the Cathedral of Counter-Strike. The future of teams are decided in the halls of the Cathedral. We don’t know what will happen until you walk into the arena - come find out with us.

Your Stay in Cologne

Wallpaper

These are our fantastic wallpapers from various IEM tournaments.
Get some first impressions below and download the full resolution here!

FAQs

We will follow the local restrictions at the time of the event.

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. 

You can find additional accessibility information on the website of the Lanxess Arena: https://www.lanxess-arena.de/besucherinfos/barrierefreiheit 

Q: Can I bring my plus 1 for free?  

A: ESL provides free tickets for your plus 1, when you are not able to attend the event without a person who takes care of you/ accompanies you). 

Examples: When you are (partially) deaf and bring your own interpreter with you; Or when you need a person who will assist you with your medical devices, wheelchair etcetera. Please contact us via this ticketing@eslgaming.com, and request the extra ticket please.

No, tickets are not refundable.

We strongly advise you to only buy tickets directly via our shop. We cannot guarantee that a ticket you bought from a third party (for example on a marketplace) is valid. 

Yes, there's a variety of food & beverage options available in the arena.

Please only bring small personal belongings. Anything larger than an A4 document will not be allowed.

It is explictly not allowed to bring:

  • Weapons of all kinds
  • Sharp objects like umbrellas 
  • Drugs
  • Pyrotechnics
  • Food
  • Drinks
  • Bottles
  • Animals
  • Professional cameras

We appreciate that fans want to create an unforgettable atmosphere in the venue.
However, if you want to bring any instrument, flag or banner, please contact us via ticketing@eslgaming.com so we can register you for the event. Otherwise, you will not be allowed to bring any of these items into the arena.

The exact event schedule might be a work in progress at this point.

The schedule will likely be roughly similar to the 2022 event. In 2022, we had the following opening hours:

  • Friday: Outdoor Area 11AM; Arena doors 1PM
  • Saturday: Outdoor Area 12:30PM; Arena doors 1PM
  • Sunday: Outdoor Area 12:30PM; Arena doors 1:30PM

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As one race ends, another begins. Intel® Grand Slam IV continues at IEM Cologne as 24 teams will look to pick up the next title towards winning the Intel® Grand Slam IV, and marking their names down in history.

Read more

Newsletter

Easy Life, Easy Subscribe and just for you!
Sign up and never miss anything about your preferred games and tournaments.
Subscribe Now

As one race ends, another begins. Intel® Grand Slam IV continues at IEM Cologne as 24 teams will look to pick up the next title towards winning the Intel® Grand Slam IV, and marking their names down in history.

Read more
ESL Gaming GmbH | Schanzenstraße 23 | 51063 Cologne, Germany
Tel.: +49 221 - 880 449 - 0 | Fax: +49 221 - 880 449 - 999 | info@eslgaming.com
ESL Gaming GmbH
Schanzenstraße 23 | 51063 Cologne, Germany
Tel.: +49 221 - 880 449 - 0 | Fax: +49 221 - 880 449 - 999
info@eslgaming.com
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Team Invites Explained

Local ESL WR

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Global ESL WR

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Partner

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Local Hero

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Presenting Partner

Intel is the catalyst for PC gaming innovation, rallying the industry to make the PC the best place to play and create. The company believe the best gaming experience is done on the PC and always looking for ways to push their technology to the limits when it comes to performance, enabling the development community, driving new form factors and leveraging emerging technology. 

Additional information about Intel is available at intel.com/gaming

Official Partner
Predator embodies the premium gaming experience by empowering our community with the latest technology, cutting-edge innovation, and iconic design. The entire lineup of products, from top-tier performing laptops and desktops to the newest gadgets and gear, is a showcase of our drive to deliver a unique value on every front. Please visit predator.acer.com for more information.

DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL family of divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With about 380,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses and is enabling global trade flows. Visit DHL In Motion

Based in Corona, California, Monster Energy is the leading marketer of energy drinks and alternative beverages. Refusing to acknowledge the traditional, Monster Energy supports the scene. Monster Energy is a brand that believes in authenticity and is the core of what its sports, athletes, eSports athletes and musicians represent. More than a drink, it’s the way of life lived by athletes, sports, bands, gamers, believers and fans. See more about Monster Energy including all of its drinks at www.monsterenergy.com and www.monsterenergy.com/gaming.

The mission of the United States Air Force is to fly, fight and win – airpower anytime, anywhere. For 2022, the Air Force Recruiting Service is hiring over 26,000 new Airmen. An emphasis is on recruiting people with no prior military service into one of over 130 enlisted career opportunities. The Air Force recruits to retain, so we recruit the best and brightest candidates possible, then provide them with tough, highly technical training that gives them the right skills to sustain the combat capability of America’s Air Force. For more information about Air Force benefits and opportunities, go to www.airforce.com.

Founded in 2007, 1xBet has quickly become one of the leading brands in the gaming industry. Hundreds of events every day plus exciting promotions and offers have already attracted millions of sports and esports fans. Here players place bets on CS:GO, Dota 2, football, basketball, as well as dozens of other sports and esports disciplines. The high level of 1xBet service for esports fans was recently recognised with a victory at the prestigious 2020 SBC Awards in the “Esports Operator of the Year” category. 

Founded in 2007, 1xBet has quickly become one of the leading brands in the gaming industry. Hundreds of events every day plus exciting promotions and offers have already attracted millions of sports and esports fans. Here players place bets on CS:GO, Dota 2, football, basketball, as well as dozens of other sports and esports disciplines. The high level of 1xBet service for esports fans was recently recognised with a victory at the prestigious 2020 SBC Awards in the “Esports Operator of the Year” category. Show 1XBET 

About Molkerei Alois Müller GmbH & Co. KG Founded in 1896 by Ludwig Müller, the former village dairy developed into a modern large dairy from the time it was taken over by Theo Müller in 1971. Around 140 million kg of milk are now processed into high-quality dairy products at the Alois Müller dairy's Swabian headquarters. In many product groups, Müller has created a market with numerous innovations in the first place. For example, buttermilk, kefir, Müller Corner, Müller Rice or the flavoured Müllermilch. The company still holds top positions in these segments. The Müller brand is almost 100 percent well known and practically everyone in Germany knows the slogan: "Alles Müller, oder was?" ("Müller, what else?").

Spotify transformed music listening forever when it launched in 2008. Discover, manage and share over 82 million tracks, including more than 4 million podcast titles, for free, or upgrade to Spotify Premium to access exclusive features for music including improved sound quality and an on-demand, offline, and ad-free music listening experience. Today, Spotify is the world’s most popular audio streaming subscription service with 422m users, including 182m subscribers, across 183 markets.

Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is a US$60 billion revenue Fortune Global 500 company serving customers in 180 markets around the world. Focused on a bold vision to deliver smarter technology for all, we are developing world-changing technologies that power (through devices and infrastructure) and empower (through solutions, services, and software) millions of customers every day and together create a more inclusive, trustworthy, and sustainable digital society for everyone, everywhere. To find out more about Lenovo visit https://www.lenovo.com or https://www.lenovo.com/legion