Intel Extreme Masters (IEM), one of the longest-running esports tournament circuits, will make it’s way back to Rio de Janeiro with a new Counter-Strike 2 tournament.
Returning to the heart of South America after a two-year absence, IEM Rio 2026 will bring together 16 of the world’s top Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) teams to go head-to-head on April 13-19.
Following an intense group stage, the top six teams will advance to the Playoffs, where they will compete live in front of a one-of-a-kind Brazilian crowd for a chance to claim the lion’s share of the 1,000,000$ in Total Winnings and lift the coveted IEM Masters trophy.
IEM Rio will also serve as a decisive moment in the race for the ESL Grand Slam VI and an additional 1,000,000$, with Team Vitality being one victory away from becoming the first team in history to win two ESL Grand Slam titles consecutively.
The tournament will feature 16 of the world’s best teams, including Brazilian fan favorites Furia and Legacy, as well as the underdogs Red Canids. Backed by a passionate home crowd, all three squads will look to secure a historic victory on home soil in front of a packed arena. Standing in their way are some of the biggest powerhouses, including the reigning ESL Pro League Season 23 champions NAVI and the recent IEM Kraków winners, Team Vitality, who denied Furia the Championship title in the Grand Final.
The lineup includes:
- 3DMAX
- Aurora Gaming
- B8 Esports
- FURIA
- G2 Esports
- Gentle Mates
- HOTU
- Legacy
- MOUZ
- Natus Vincere
- Passion UA
- RED Canids
- Team Falcons
- Team Liquid
- Team Spirit
- Team Vitality
Schedule and Format
Group Stage (April 13-15):
- Two groups of eight teams compete in a double-elimination format.
- All matches are best-of-three.
- The top three teams from each group advance to the Playoffs.
- The Group Stage winners advance to the Semifinals.
- The runner-ups advance to the Quarterfinals as the High Seeds.
- The third-place teams advance to the Quarterfinals as the Low Seeds.
Playoffs (April 17-19):
- Played in a single-elimination format.
- The Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Third-place Decider are best-of-three.
- The Grand Final is best-of-five.
Total Winnings:
| Total Winnings: $1,000,000 | ||
| Place | Player Prize Money | Club Reward |
| 1st | $125,000 | $170,000 |
| 2nd | $50,000 | $120,000 |
| 3rd | $30,000 | $95,000 |
| 4th | $20,000 | $75,000 |
| 5th-6th | $12,500 | $55,000 |
| 7th – 8th | $7,000 | $35,000 |
| 9th – 12th | $5,000 | $15,000 |
| 13th-16th | $4,000 | $0 |
On-site Activities
Fans from Brazil and beyond attending the tournament can look forward to experiencing and enjoying a wide variety of on-site activities,* including:
- At the ESL Shop, attendees will be able to purchase exclusive IEM Rio and ESL merch, Kolex Cards, team jerseys, and much more.
- At the Intel Tent, fans are invited to try out the latest games and hardware, participate in activities, and get their idols’ signatures.
- DHL will once again deliver special prizes and experiences with the !DHLDrop to both fans watching the games from the arena and to those following online.
- The BetBoom activation will offer a fan-focused experience zone featuring a variety of interactive activities designed to engage attendees throughout IEM Rio. Inspired by the unmatched energy of Rio’s fans, the space will bring the community together through a mix of immersive activations, entertainment moments, and on-site experiences.
- Zowie will present a full range of pro-trusted gear — from monitors to gaming mice and mousepads. Fans can experience the latest equipment, including the same setup used on stage at IEM Rio, designed to deliver peak in-game performance.
Where to Watch
The live broadcast will be available on ESL Counter-Strike Twitch and YouTube channels, as well as via dedicated broadcast partners.