The lineup of 24 teams for IEM Katowice 2025, scheduled from January 29 to February 9, has been revealed by ESL. Sixteen teams will compete in Stage 1, formerly known as the Play-in, while eight squads have secured direct invitations to Stage 2, previously called the group stage.
Reigning champions Spirit, who claimed their first major victory in Katowice last year, will begin their title defense in Stage 2. The 2024 event also marked the emergence of Danil “donk” Kryshkovets as a rising star. Other top-tier teams heading straight to Stage 2 include G2, now without Nikola “NiKo” Kovač, who has joined Falcons, as well as Vitality, MOUZ, FaZe—missing Robin “ropz” Kool—and Natus Vincere. Additionally, The MongolZ, a breakout team of 2024, will join the second stage.
Stage 1 will feature a strong American contingent, including Liquid, MIBR, paiN, Complexity, and Wildcard. FlyQuest will represent Oceania, while Europe’s lineup will include Astralis, GamerLegion, Eternal Fire, SAW, BIG, 3DMAX, and HEROIC. Russia’s Virtus.pro and Portugal’s SAW also secured spots. Imperial fe, which dominated the women’s competitive scene last year and climbed to 23rd in Valve’s rankings, completes the lineup.
HEROIC’s inclusion reinforces speculation about their rumored acquisition of the former Sangal trio, despite the team currently ranking 25th in Valve’s standings.
Stage 2 Invites
- Russia: Spirit
- Europe: G2, Natus Vincere, Vitality, MOUZ, FaZe, Falcons
- Mongolia: The MongolZ
Stage 1 Participants
- North America: Liquid, Complexity, Wildcard
- Brazil: MIBR, paiN, FURIA
- Oceania: FlyQuest
- Europe: Astralis, Eternal Fire, GamerLegion, SAW, BIG, 3DMAX, Imperial fe
- Russia: Virtus.pro
- Denmark: HEROIC
