Have a look at the best shots from the first Major Challengers Stage to have a crowd of this size.
The IEM Rio Major Challengers Stage has been like no other before, with a group stage crowd that rivaled the energy of some grand finals. To relive it, we have put together the best photos from the event taken by HLTV.org's photographers Josip "brcho" Brtan and Radoslaw "MAKKU" Makuch .
The two have been capturing moments of heartbreak, excitement, and relief over the first four days so that our readers can look back at the monumental Major in all its glory. The gallery features FURIA celebrating with their families, the heartbreak of teams that didn't make it through, and the Brazilian fans saying goodbye to Imperial and 00NATION.
While we usually capture Counter-Strike's storylines in writing, sometimes the best way to truly appreciate a story is with your eyes. So take a moment to look over the IEM Rio Major Challengers stage in photos.
Even before the Challenger stage begun, the atmosphere outside the venue was electric
fnx couldn't hold back his excitement in front of the Brazilian fans
ZywOo was unleashed against Imperial even with the crowd against him
Regardless of Imperial's struggles, the crowd kept FalleN in high spirits
GamerLegion got off to an extraordinary start, taking down 9z and Vitality on the first day
Despite the rough first day for Imperial, the Brazilian fans embraced their hometown heroes
FURIA was the only Brazilian team to get a win on the first day
Fnatic were all smiles after day one
The crowd was brimming with suspense during the close games of day one
Vitality suffered a rough end to day one with a loss to GamerLegion
yuurih shared an intimate moment after beating 00NATION
9z ended day one with a win against Imperial
The high energy of 9z was matched by the crowd leading to a deafening atmosphere
00NATION had the crowd's support in a tough loss against IHC
MOUZ were unstoppable, making it through to the next stage without dropping a match
Heartbreak for 00NATION as they went winless
Cloud9 had to dig deep to turn things around
In an emotional moment, FalleN thanked the Rio fans for all their support
The fans showed their respect back to the Godfather of Brazilian Counter-Strike
EG was devastated after being eliminated from the Major
Old friends reunited in Rio
OG went into the final day with high spirits but it would end in heartbreak
FURIA made the Legends stage after a shaky start
guerri, unable to stand behind his team, celebrates with his players in the crowd
It was tight for Vitality, but they made the next stage on the last day
Despite such a good start, GamerLegion fell at the final hurdle
arT embraces his biggest supporters, his family
Imperial may have gone out on the second day but that wouldn't stop FalleN from enjoying the Rio Major
FalleN is such a great guy, i was so sad when he started cyring while talking about his sadness in Liquid (due to family distance etc). Eternal professor, true legend.
2022-11-04 14:48
Please log in and sync your account with Steam to upvote.
They couldn't understand the meaning of this major! Brasil has some organized crowd that could be killing themselves, if they find in another place. In major they are friends. Is amazing to realize how great the tournament is.
2022-11-04 17:53
Please log in and sync your account with Steam to upvote.
IEM Rio Major 2022 Challengers Stage
Santino 'try' Rigal
| 
Pecea
ilusomachnhmoo
| 
valve_please_nerf_Denmark
| 
s16w1x0
| 
| 
b1aNK_
| 
Bashovski
| 
| 
bizonSX
| 
| 
LoOuU2
M@GNU5
yadontsay
nvrn06
| 
Lost_Wanderer
| 
JohnnotCena
VIKTORAL
| 
RickNRoll
| 
| 
Gundobert
| 
