ESL Reveals 2026 IEM Events in Brazil, USA, and China

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive

11 Jun

Thales Costa

ESL has officially unveiled key details for its 2026 ESL Pro Tour Masters events, confirming that the prestigious Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) circuit will make stops in Brazil, the United States, and China next year.

This announcement marks a significant expansion of ESL’s global Counter-Strike 2 calendar and reinforces the organizer’s commitment to bringing top-tier esports action to diverse audiences around the world.

Event Schedule and Locations

IEM Brazil: April 13–19, 2026
IEM USA: May 11–17, 2026
IEM China: November 2–8, 2026

While the specific cities and venues for these tournaments have yet to be disclosed, ESL has confirmed that each event will feature a $1 million prize pool, attracting the world’s elite CS2 teams to compete for glory and vital ESL Pro Tour points.

A Strengthened Global Presence

These new Masters events are part of a broader strategy by ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) to invest at least $22 million into the Counter-Strike ecosystem across 2025 and 2026. This investment aims to foster a sustainable competitive environment and further cement ESL’s status as the leading force in global esports.

The 2026 IEM events in Brazil, the USA, and China will contribute to the ESL Grand Slam, a prestigious $1 million bonus awarded to the first team to win three ESL Pro Tour Masters tournaments and one ESL Pro Tour Championship within a set period. This structure incentivizes consistent excellence across multiple international events and adds an extra layer of excitement for fans and competitors alike.

More Information Coming Soon

The addition of these events follows ESL’s recent decision to move its famous IEM event from Katowice to Kraków, Poland, in early 2026, demonstrating the organizer’s willingness to evolve and adapt to the growing demands of the global esports community. Further details regarding the exact locations, formats, and participating teams for the 2026 Masters events are expected to be released in the coming months.

With these announcements, ESL continues to shape the future of competitive Counter-Strike, delivering world-class tournaments to fans across three continents and maintaining its legacy as a pioneer in the esports industry.

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Featured Image Credits: ESL

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