The next Counter-Strike: Global Offensive elite championship is already scheduled, and it will take place soon. The brand-new edition of IEM Katowice 2023 is scheduled for January.
A re-enactment of the classic championship that marked the history of competitive CS:GO, the new IEM Katowice will host 24 teams enshrined in the competitive CS:GO scene. Read on to find an overview and forecast of this world-class competition.
IEM Katowice 2013 – Explaining the Global Competitive Scene
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ESL has announced the 24 teams invited to the 2023 Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Katowice, the most prestigious international Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) competition to be held from January 31 to February 12 in Katowice, Poland.
The championship allows players to get a fresh spot in the IEM Cologne 2023. Additionally, IEM Katowice 2023 will still secure US$1 million in stakes to distribute among its participants. For the best of the best, the championship reserves a guaranteed spot for Cologne and $ 400,000.
Which Teams Are Participating in the IEM Katowice 2023?
The Entry phase features 16 teams invited to battle fiercely for a spot in the finals of the IEM Katowice 2023, which are:
- OG
- ENCE
- BIG
- sprout
- paiN Gaming
- Evil Geniuses (EG)
- Ninjas in Pyjamas (NIP)
- Team Spirit
- Cloud9
- Complexity
- FURY
- MIBR
- IHC Esports
- Grayhound Gaming
- Allow Esports
- Fnatic
The entry phase will take place in the double elimination system (i.e., with upper and lower brackets). The opening games will happen in the best-of-one-game (bo1) style, while the consecutive games will follow a best-of-three (bo3) style. The top 8 teams will advance to the entry stage, joining the previously invited eight teams.
During the group phase, the eight invited teams joining the survivors of the entry phase will be FaZe Clan, Vitality, Outsiders, Heroic, Team Liquid, NAVI, G2 Esports, and MOUZ.
The 16 teams will be divided into two groups. In each group, the remaining eight teams will face each other in bo3 clashes using the GSL double elimination system. The top 3 of each group will advance to the playoffs.
In each group, the team ranked in 1st place will go to the semifinals, while the teams ranked in 2nd and 3rd place will battle for the quarterfinals.
In the playoffs, the quarterfinals and semifinals will happen in the bo3 style and the final championship stage will happen in the best of five (bo5) style. The prize will be $1 million, of which $400k will go to the champion.
Read more: CS:GO: IEM Rio Major 2022 releases more tickets and attendance at all stages
Forecast & Analysis – IEM Katowice 2023
While the IEM Katowice 2023 is setting forum threads and debate rooms around the internet on fire, here are some bold predictions for the championship. As the winners of the IEM Rio 2022, the Outsiders gained a lot of momentum and will certainly come to fight for a spot among the most competitive teams.
Following a similar trend, Heroic may have its chance to take revenge on the current winner. The scenario promises to have no dominant teams like it was in the past, but gives players the chance to witness fierce battles between teams willing to fight for their guts out to win.
In addition to Heroic, C9 and Liquid will certainly join the list as top-tier contenders for a title. The moment is not necessarily pretty for G2 and NAVI, but changes in the team’s management and staff may put them back on the winning track.
Another promising team is Cloud9, which recently managed to make it to the top of the IEM Rio Challengers Stage but has the potential to rise higher.
Final Thoughts
CS:GO fans and gamblers can start placing their bids on their favorite teams competing in Poland within a few weeks.
Among the 16 participants in the entry stage are some teams that stood out within the history of competitive CS:GO, while legends such as FaZe Clan, Vitality, Outsiders, Heroic, Team Liquid, NAVI, G2 Esports, and MOUZ enter directly into the group stage.
