ESL will not host IEM Rio next year

Tournament operator ESL has refused to host the regular IEM Rio Counter-Strike 2 tournament next year. Dust2 Brasil reported this, citing its own sources. According to media reports, the likelihood of an IEM tournament being held in another Brazilian city in 2025 is almost zero.

Reportedly, the government of Rio de Janeiro was interested in IEM Rio returning next year, but for some reason ESL decided not to host the competition. To date, three IEM Rio events have already been organized – in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Moreover, the event in 2022 had the status of a Major.

Earlier it became known that the government of Rio de Janeiro plans to host another Counter-Strike Major by 2027. This was stated by the head of the gaming and esports department in the municipality of the Brazilian city.

A couple of days ago, IEM Rio 2024 ended in Rio de Janeiro. The competition was held from October 7 to 13 with the participation of 16 squads. The total prize pool of the event was $250,000. In the final, NAVI defeated MOUZ with a scoreline of 3:1. Mihai "iM" Ivan was named the MVP of the tournament.

Origin: www.dust2.com.br