Intel Extreme Masters, Sydney 2018 is about to begin in a few days, with the world’s best CS:GO teams coming together in Australia for another weekend of the highest level of competitive Counter-Strike.
With a $250,000 prize pool, IEM will host six-day, 16-team tournament to determine who’s top dog in the upper echelon of Counter-Strike. Similiar to many past tournaments, IEM will feature a GSL format group stage and an eight-team single elimination bracket on the first three days of May, 2018.
WE'RE COMING BACK TO AUSTRALIA!
Announcing #IEM Sydney 2018 🇦🇺
➡️https://t.co/KrD8frsOwm pic.twitter.com/sJUCa8CKft— Intel® Extreme Masters (@IEM) January 30, 2018
IEM Sydney 2018 – Tournament Information
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Coverage
Format
There are two groups with eight teams in each, and every group is seemingly more competitive than the last. The groups are shown below from Group A to B, with the matchups and the times displayed next to each game.
Group A
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FaZe Clan vs. ORDER
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Legacy vs. Renegades
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Cloud9 vs. Grayhound
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Tyloo vs. SK Gaming
Group B
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Mousesports vs. B.O.O.T-d[S]
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NRG Esports vs. Astralis
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G2 Esports vs. MVP PK
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Chiefs ESC vs. Fnatic
Among the groups, Group A is arguably the more stacked one among the two, with FaZe Clan, Cloud9, TyLoo, and SK Gaming fighting for two playoff spots. Teams that are expected to survive the initial stage include FaZe, Cloud9, and SK Gaming. Group B, however, is the hardest to predict, as all eight teams have a good chance to qualify for the playoffs.
The tournament will be pivotal for a number of teams since many of roasters underwent major roster changes after IEM Katowice in February. FaZe Clan, Cloud9 and SK Gaming made major changes to their lineups, and their performance may be stunted by individual role transitions within their team compositions. Whoever reigns victorious at IEM SYDNEY 2018 will be Counter-Strike’s best, as all of the teams have had ample of time to refine their roster cohesion and tactics.
Map pool
Talent Lineup
All matches at IEM Sydney 2018 will be streamed live on Twitch starting on May 1st.
More information on the IEM SYDNEY 2018 can be found on IEM’s website, and this article will be updated as more details are released
