Games

End of an era: ESL makes shift away from Katowice, announces IEM Kraków

BBG News

Katowice farewelled as ESL moves it’s pinnacle Polish IEM event to Kraków.

The peak event of ESL, known as the “Hall of Heroes,” will shift locations in 2026, with IEM Krakow being confirmed to occur from February 6 to 8.

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve got some exciting news to share about our favorite game, CS2. The grand ESL stop in Katowice is no longer going to be its home. Instead, the 2025 edition will serve as a heartfelt goodbye to the historic Spodek Arena and over a decade of Counter-Strike memories we’ve created together there.

But fear not, fellow gamers! Kraków is picking up the torch from now on. The larger TAURON Arena will be our new battleground for Intel Extreme Masters events in the future. It’s a new era for us, and I can hardly wait to see what exciting moments await us there!

IEM Kraków: ESL’s Hall of Heroes finds new home as Katowice bids farewell

On May 29th, it was announced by ESL that IEM will be relocated from Katowice to Kraków. In addition to the new location and venue, ESL also confirmed an impressive prize pool of $1.25 million USD. Starting in early February 2026, a total of 24 teams will secure their spots for the competition in Poland.

In the upcoming months, we’ll reveal the participating teams for the Kraków tournament. Many teams will receive invitations directly, while others may be given a chance to compete as well. Ticket sales for the event will start shortly, offering various categories of tickets that will gradually become available for purchase in stages.

Over the past two decades, Intel Extreme Masters has accumulated a rich legacy brimming with heartfelt and pivotal instances within the annals of esports. This is according to Michal “Carmac” Blicharz, ESL’s vice president overseeing special projects.

Our journey from Hannover’s early days to becoming a force in Katowice has shaped our history. As we embark on a fresh phase, we eagerly anticipate writing this story further with the world’s top gamers and esports enthusiasts, who will undoubtedly contribute significantly to our legacy in Kraków, on an unprecedented scale.

Back in February, there were whispers about a significant decision when news broke that PGL was planning to organize a tournament in Kraków. Yet, a representative from the City of Kraków later dashed these plans, announcing that instead, the city would be hosting a recurring event scheduled for January over the next three years.

It became clear that the event under discussion was IEM Katowice. Nonetheless, ESL remained keen on organizing this premier tournament in Poland, as many teams considered top-tier IEM events such as Katowice and Cologne to be equally prestigious as a Major Championship.

The TAURON Arena in Kraków, boasting a seating capacity double that of Spodek in Katowice, has long been earmarked as an ideal venue for the ESL series. Tickets for these events tend to sell out promptly following their release.

The format for the cherished IEM event may undergo minor adjustments, as ESL continues to explore possibilities beyond Counter-Strike. Regrettably, the IEM Expo won’t be part of this year’s event. Yet, you can look forward to a variety of booths from our key partners, conveniently situated in and around the expansive TAURON Arena.

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2025-05-29 16:40

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