IEM Rio 2026

IEM Rio 2026 marks the return of the Intel Extreme Masters to Brazil after a hiatus in 2025. This April, the tour heads back to the Farmasi Arena (formerly Jeunesse Arena), a venue legendary for its deafening crowd noise. With the qualifiers now concluded and the invites accepted, the full 16-team field is set.

The big headline for this event is the finalized team list: FaZe and The MongolZ have declined their invitations, opening the door for other contenders. Meanwhile, RED Canids fought through the local qualifier to ensure Brazilian representation alongside FURIA and Legacy.

Tournament overview

< PGL Bucharest 2026 – BLAST Rivals Spring >

Dates and location

• April 13th – April 19th, 2026
• Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Farmasi Arena)
• Prize: $1,000,000 ($300,000 player share – $700,000 club share)

Format

Group Stage (April 13-15)

• Two groups of 8 teams
• Double elimination Bo3
• Top 3 teams from each group advance to Playoffs
  • Group Winners -> Semi-finals
  • 2nd & 3rd Place -> Quarter-finals

Playoffs (April 17-19)

• Single elimination bracket
• Quarter-finals & Semi-finals Bo3
• Grand Final Bo5
• Note: A 3rd Place Decider Match (Bo3) will take place before the Grand Final.

Teams

Talent

Primary Broadcast

Stage Host:

• Nyvi “Nyvi” Estephan

Desk Host:

• Tres “stunna” Saranthus

Sideline Reporter:

• Freya “Freya” Spiers

Analysts:

• Janko “YNk” Paunović
• Jacob “Pimp” Winneche
• Martin “STYKO” Styk

Commentators:

• Chad “SPUNJ” Burchill
• Alex “Machine” Richardson
• Harry “JustHarry” Russell
• Hugo “Hugo” Byron

Secondary Broadcast

Commentators:

• Travis Landaw “Trav” Mott
• Matthew “HAzE” Stott
• Neo “Ne0kai” Caine
• Harvey “Skriv” Rodgers

How to watch

• ESLCS on Twitch
• ESLCS on YouTube