ESL has confirmed that the Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Spring tournament will take place in Melbourne, Australia, marking the return of top-tier Counter-Strike to the region after a brief hiatus in 2024.

The prominent $1 million event is scheduled to be held at the iconic Rod Laver Arena, a venue renowned for hosting the Australian Open. This announcement offers Australian fans a chance to experience world-class Counter-Strike action on home soil once again.

No opening qualifiers

IEM Melbourne 2025 will feature 16 of the best Counter-Strike teams in the world, with no qualifiers required. Instead, the participating teams will be determined based on Valve’s Global Ranking. The tournament will include the top 10 ranked teams globally, along with the top two seeds from Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

This is not the first time ESL has chosen Australia for a high-profile event. The country has played host to several memorable tournaments in the past, with passionate fans known for creating an electric atmosphere.

The ticket sale for the playoff stage is set to go live on Thursday this week. You can read more about the tournament here.