Last updated: October 14, 2024

The countdown to IEM Rio 2024 has begun as the next Intel Extreme Masters event on the calendar, and esports fans are already gearing up for another explosive showdown between Counter-Strike 2's elite teams.

Sixteen invited Counter-Strike 2 teams in the world will fly to Rio de Janeiro to battle for the next title and a slice of the $250K prize pool. With a new champion each year since 2022, who will claim the crown in 2024? Will we see a back-to-back winner in Team Vitality, or will another team etch their name in history? Only time will tell.

As one race ends, another begins as the Intel Grand Slam IV battle rages on. Teams like NAVI, FaZe Clan, and MOUZ are all still in the running to add to their Grand Slam tally at IEM Rio 2024.

Here's everything CS2 fans need to know about the upcoming IEM Rio 2024 tournament, including the competition's format, all 16 competing teams, and where to watch the event unfold.

Image credit: ESL

IEM Rio 2024: Format

IEM Rio 2024 boasts the standard uniform format typically used in every Intel Extreme Masters tournament, with a Group Stage and Playoffs compacted into a week of intense Counter-Strike action.

A full format breakdown for IEM Rio 2024 is outlined below.

Group Stage (October 7 - 9)

  • The sixteen teams are divided into two double-elimination format groups of eight teams each.
  • Opening matches are played as best-of-one (Bo1) series.
  • All following matches are best-of-three (Bo3).
  • The top three teams from each group advance to the Playoffs.

Playoffs (October 11 - 13)

  • Six teams compete in a single-elimination bracket.
  • The Group Stage winners advance straight to the Semifinals. The runners-up advance to the Quarterfinal as High Seeds. Group Stage 3rd place teams advance to the Quarterfinal as Low Seeds Playoffs.
  • All Playoff matches are Bo3.
  • The winning team takes the IEM Rio 2024 title, an automatic qualification for IEM Katowice 2025, and $100K from the overall $250K prize pool.

IEM Rio 2024: Teams Competing

IEM Rio 2024 is a 16-team professional Counter-Strike 2 event, with Rio de Janeiro as the latest stop on ESL's 2024 world tour. For the initial Group Stage, the teams are divided into Groups A and B, as laid out below.

Here are all the teams competing in IEM Rio 2024, including their complete, confirmed player rosters. If anything changes between now and when the competition begins, we'll update this section accordingly.

Group A

Natus Vincere is currently dominating the ESL World Ranking with 3,096 points in their tally. They've skyrocketed up the charts following recent successes in Counter-Strike 2, having recently won the CS2 Esports World Cup and ESL Pro League S20.

Other notable teams in Group A include MOUZ, who won both ESL Pro League S18 and 19, and FaZe Clan, who has many Intel Grand Slam awards in their tally and looking to add another.

  • Complexity Gaming (ESL World Ranking): JT, floppy, Grim, hallzerk, EliGe
  • Imperial Esports (South American Qualifier): VINI, felps, noway, decenty, try
  • FaZe Clan (ESL Partner Team): rain, broky, karrigan, ropz, frozen
  • FURIA Esports (Local Hero Invite): yuurih, KSCERATO, FalleN, chelo, skullz
  • MOUZ (ESL Partner Team): torzsi, xertioN, siuhy, Jimpphat, Brollan
  • Natus Vincere (ESL Partner Team): b1t, Aleksib, jL, iM, w0nderful
  • paiN Gaming (South American Qualifier): biguzera, lux, kauez, nqz, snow
  • Team Liquid (North American Qualifier): NAF, YEKINDAR, Twistzz, ultimate, jks

Group B

Group B is home to some Counter-Strike 2 powerhouses, like Team Vitality and G2 Esports, occupying 2nd and 3rd in the ESL World Rankings, respectively. Team Vitality, in particular, is a team to watch, as they triumphed over Natus Vincere in a 3:1 victory at IEM Cologne earlier this year.

Another standout team in Group B is Eternal Fire, who came second in ESL Pro League S20 and are looking to taste victory.

  • 9z Team (ESL World Ranking): dgt, max, buda, HUASOPEEK, Martinez
  • Astralis (ESL Partner Team): dev1ce, Staehr, stavn, jabbi, cadiaN
  • Eternal Fire (European Qualifier): XANTARES, Calyx, MAJ3R, Wicadia, woxic
  • G2 Esports (ESL Partner Team): huNter-, NiKo, M0NESY, malbsMd, Snax
  • HEROIC (European Qualifier): rain, broky, karrigan, ropz, frozen
  • Team Vitality (ESL Partner Team): apEX, ZywOo, Spinx, flameZ, mezii
  • The MongolZ (ESL World Ranking): bLitz, Techno4K, 910, mzinho, Senzu
  • Virtus.pro (ESL World Ranking): Jame, FL1T, fame, n0rb3r7, electroNic

IEM Rio 2024: Schedule

IEM Rio 2024 begins on October 7, 2024, for an action-packed six days of high-intensity competitive Counter-Strike gameplay.

All times listed below will be in CT, and match winners will be highlighted in bold for clarity. Matches can occasionally overrun, causing delays. We will do our best to keep up with any changes, including all upcoming matches, and update this article accordingly.

Group Stage Schedule: Group A

October 7 - Upper Bracket Quarterfinals

  • 9:00 AM: FaZe Clan vs. FURIA Esports
  • 9:00 AM: paiN Gaming vs. MOUZ
  • 10:00 AM: Imperial Esports vs. Natus Vincere
  • 10:00 AM: Team Liquid vs. Complexity Gaming

October 7 - Lower Bracket Quarterfinals

  • 1:00 PM: paiN Gaming vs. FaZe Clan
  • 3:30 PM: Imperial Esports vs. Complexity Gaming

October 7 - Upper Bracket Semifinals

  • 1:00 PM: FURIA Esports vs. MOUZ
  • 3:30 PM: Team Liquid vs. Natus Vincere

October 8 - Lower Bracket Semifinals

  • 3:00 PM: MOUZ vs. Complexity Gaming
  • 3:00 PM: FaZe Clan vs. Team Liquid

October 9 - Lower Final

  • 11:30 AM: : MOUZ vs. FaZe Clan

October 9 - Upper Final

  • 2:00 PM: Natus Vincere vs. FURIA Esports

Group Stage Schedule: Group B

October 7 - Upper Bracket Quarterfinals

  • 11:00 AM: Team Vitality vs. 9z Team
  • 11:00 AM: Astralis vs. Eternal Fire
  • 12:00 PM: The MongolZ vs. Virtus.pro
  • 12:00 PM: G2 Esports vs. HEROIC

October 8 - Lower Bracket Quarterfinals

  • 9:00 AM: 9z Team vs. Virtus.pro
  • 11:30 AM: G2 Esports vs. Eternal Fire

October 8 - Upper Bracket Quarterfinals

  • 9:00 AM: Team Vitality vs. The MongolZ
  • 11:30 AM: HEROIC vs. Astralis

October 9 - Lower Bracket Semifinal

  • 9:00 AM: Astralis vs. Virtus.pro
  • 9:00 AM: Eternal Fire vs. The MongolZ

October 9 - Upper Final

  • 11:30 AM: HEROIC vs. Team Vitality

October 9 - Lower Final

  • 2:00 PM: The MongolZ vs. Virtus.pro

Playoffs Schedule

As with the Group Stage matches, all times listed for the Playoffs will be in CT and match winners will be highlighted in bold.

October 11 - Quarterfinals

  • 10:00 AM: Natus Vincere vs. Virtus.pro
  • 1:15 PM: MOUZ vs. Team Vitality

October 12 - Semifinals

  • 10:00 AM: HEROIC vs. FURIA Esports
  • 1:15 PM: FURIA Esports vs. Natus Vincere

October 13 - Grand Final

  • 12:00 PM: Natus Vincere vs. HEROIC

Image credit: ESL

IEM Rio 2024: Streaming Destinations

The IEM Rio 2024 Group Stage will be online. However, the Playoffs will be hosted before a live audience at the Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, with a capacity of 15K.

The cost of an IEM Rio 2024 ticket ranges from $55 for the most affordable option to $1,300 for premium seating. The final wave of tickets is still available via ESL's website, so grab 'em while you can! Stage host Nyvi Estephan will be making a return in front of the Brazilian crowd, bringing his unique flair to the games.

For fans unable to watch the Intel Extreme Masters action live in person, NP! ESL has English-speaking broadcasts for IEM Rio via their official YouTube and Twitch channels. VODs are also available after each match day so you don't miss a second of the in-game action.

We've listed all the available English-speaking Twitch and YouTube channels broadcasting IEM Rio 2024 below, courtesy of ESL.

Head to the official IEM Rio 2024 Liquidpedia page for a comprehensive list of all available streams for IEM Rio 2024. See your favorite teams in the overall IEM Rio 2024 standings below.

IEM Rio 2024: Overall Standings & Prize Pool Distribution

Place

Team Name(s)

Prize Money

Qualifies To

1st

Natus Vincere

$100,000

IEM Katowice 2025

2nd

MOUZ

$42,000

N/A

3rd - 4th

FURIA Esports, HEROIC

$20,000

N/A

5th - 6th

Team Vitality, Virtus.pro

$10,000

N/A

7th - 8th

FaZe Clan, The MongolZ

$6,000

N/A

9th - 12th

Complexity Gaming, Team Liquid, Astralis, Eternal Fire

$5,000

N/A

13th - 16th

Imperial Esports, paiN Gaming, 9z Team, G2 Esports

$4,000

N/A

Image credit: ESL

Final Thoughts

That was our complete rundown for IEM Rio 2024, the final event on the Intel Extreme Masters calendar to close out 2024. We'll update this article with all the latest information, including match updates, schedule changes, and the latest standings, so bookmark this page to stay informed!

Rivalry is the home of esports betting! Create an account today to use our welcome bonus on IEM Rio 2024, where we offer live betting, Same Game Combos, Quick Combos with limited-time odds, and so much more!

Keep your eyes peeled for other upcoming events on the global CS2 esports circuit, including the BLAST Premier: World Final 2024, Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024, and the 2024 IESF World Esports Championship.