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Intel Extreme Masters Dallas marks the return of Tier 1 Counter-Strike: Global Offensive LANs to North America. The COVID-19 pandemic and visa issues have created no shortage of issues spinning up live esports events in the United States, but that changes with IEM Dallas. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming event.

Where and when to watch

IEM Dallas takes place from May 30 to June 5 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, United States. The entire event will be livestreamed via ESL’s Twitch channel with the main English-language broadcast available here.

The playoffs, from June 3 – 5, will play out in front of a live audience at the convention center. Tickets are still available for purchase.

IEM Dallas format

Sixteen teams will be in the running for their share of the $250,000 prize pool and circuit points for both ESL and BLAST. The format follows a simple group stage and playoffs structure. Two groups will play through a double elimination bracket — opening matches are best of one with all subsequent matches best of three. The top three teams from each group advance to playoffs.

Group stage winners advance to the semifinals, while second and third play advance to the quarterfinals as higher and lower seeds, respectively. The playoffs are single elimination and the grand final will play out in a best of five series.

Participating teams

While visa issues and scheduling conflicts have caused some substitutions to the team lineup, there’s still no shortage of Tier 1 talent at IEM Dallas. These are the 16 participating teams:

  • ENCE
  • FaZe Clan
  • FURIA Esports
  • G2 Esports
  • Ninjas in Pyjamas
  • Astralis
  • Heroic
  • Cloud9
  • Team Vitality
  • MOUZ
  • Team Liquid
  • Complexity Gaming
  • Imperial Esports
  • LookingForOrg
  • BIG
  • Movistar Riders

DreamHack Dallas

IEM Dallas is also running parallel to and in conjunction with DreamHack Dallas. Both events fall under ESL’s umbrella but have slightly different offerings. DreamHack Dallas, a gaming festival that includes music, booths, streamers and more, also takes place from June 3 to June 5 at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.

In terms of Counter-Strike, it’s not just IEM Dallas, either. There will also be the Season 1 finals of the premier CS:GO women’s circuit, ESL Impact League. The event offers $123,000 in prize money to the top teams. The teams that qualified are Nigma Galaxy Female, BIG EQUIPA, Counter Logic Gaming Red, Please Send Help, FURIA Esports Female, Black Dragons Female, ATK.gg and Mindfreak.