IEM Cologne teams, format, schedule, talent, prizes, fantasy

5-8-2024 12:00

Counter-Strike is set to return to the hallowed halls of the LANXESS Arena.

IEM Cologne is one of the highlights of the CS calendar, a tournament where all the top teams vie for one of the most coveted trophies on offer, and this year is no different.

Across both the Play-in and the main event, every single one of the top 15-ranked teams are set to compete in Germany, promising a heated battle for the title.

Not only are all the best squads in attendance, but there is little to separate those at the very top. Less than 50 ranking points separate Natus Vincere, Spirit and MOUZ in the top three, and whilst Vitality, G2 and FaZe sit some way adrift by points, it would be foolish to discount the chance they may hit their best form when it matters most.

Here is everything you need to know about IEM Cologne 2024.

Participating teams and format

IEM Cologne 2024 will consist of three stages: the play-in, group stage, and playoffs.

The play-in will feature a double-elimination BO3 bracket. Teams that win two matches will proceed to the group stage, whilst teams that lose two will be eliminated.

The double-elimination BO3 format continues for the group stage. Group winners will advance directly to the playoff semi-finals, while second and third proceed to the quarter-finals.

A single-elimination bracket takes over for the playoffs, where the quarter and semi-finals will be BO3 and the grand final a BO5.

Play-in

Main event

Schedule

Play-in

Date	Matches
IEM Cologne 2024 Play-in
07/08/2024	FlyQuest 10:30 BIG	Match
07/08/2024	The MongolZ 10:30 SAW	Match
07/08/2024	3DMAX 13:50 9z	Match
07/08/2024	HEROIC 14:15 MIBR	Match
07/08/2024	Complexity 15:45 ALTERNATE aTTaX	Match
07/08/2024	Eternal Fire 17:30 Falcons	Match
07/08/2024	FURIA 18:45 Imperial	Match
07/08/2024	paiN 20:40 Liquid	Match
08/08/2024	SAW 13:30 BIG	Match
08/08/2024	The MongolZ 13:30 FlyQuest	Match
08/08/2024	FURIA 15:45 Liquid	Match
08/08/2024	3DMAX 16:45 HEROIC	Match
08/08/2024	Complexity 19:15 Eternal Fire	Match
08/08/2024	ALTERNATE aTTaX 19:50 Falcons	Match
09/08/2024	9z 13:30 MIBR	Match
09/08/2024	Imperial 13:30 paiN	Match
09/08/2024	FURIA 15:55 HEROIC	Match
09/08/2024	BIG 17:20 Falcons	Match
09/08/2024	The MongolZ 19:35 Eternal Fire	Match
09/08/2024	MIBR 20:30 paiN	Match

Group Stage

Date	Matches
IEM Cologne 2024
10/08/2024	FaZe 13:30 Liquid	Match
10/08/2024	Virtus.pro 13:30 Complexity	Match
10/08/2024	G2 15:50 SAW	Match
10/08/2024	Astralis 17:05 9z	Match
10/08/2024	Spirit 18:45 The MongolZ	Match
10/08/2024	Natus Vincere 19:25 paiN	Match
11/08/2024	MOUZ 13:30 Falcons	Match
11/08/2024	Vitality 13:30 FURIA	Match
11/08/2024	SAW 15:45 The MongolZ	Match
11/08/2024	Astralis 16:40 Natus Vincere	Match
11/08/2024	G2 18:55 Spirit	Match
11/08/2024	9z 19:20 paiN	Match
12/08/2024	Virtus.pro 13:30 Falcons	Match
12/08/2024	Liquid 13:30 FURIA	Match
12/08/2024	FaZe 16:00 Vitality	Match
12/08/2024	Complexity 17:05 MOUZ	Match
12/08/2024	The MongolZ 19:20 paiN	Match
12/08/2024	Astralis 19:40 G2	Match
13/08/2024	Falcons 13:30 FaZe	Match
13/08/2024	Liquid 13:30 Complexity	Match
13/08/2024	G2 15:45 paiN	Match
13/08/2024	Natus Vincere 16:00 SAW	Match
13/08/2024	Liquid 18:45 FaZe	Match
13/08/2024	MOUZ 18:55 Vitality	Match

Playoffs

Date	Matches
IEM Cologne 2024
16/08/2024	SAW 15:45 FaZe	Match
16/08/2024	MOUZ 19:50 G2	Match
17/08/2024	Vitality 15:45 SAW	Match
17/08/2024	Natus Vincere 19:00 MOUZ	Match
18/08/2024	Vitality 17:00 Natus Vincere	Match