Counter-Strike returns to Germany for the IEM Cologne event, which commences on August 10. Twenty-four pro teams will compete for a share of the $1 million prize pool. Our Counter-Strike 2 IEM Cologne 2024 preview provides an in-depth guide for this event.
IEM Cologne 2024 marks a historic milestone as Counter-Strike 2 makes its debut at this tournament. The competition brings together the world’s top 24 professional teams, all vying for a share of the substantial US$1 million prize pool and 7,000 crucial BLAST Premier points.
| ℹ️ Tournament: | Counter-Strike 2 IEM Cologne 2024 |
| 🎮 Venue: | Lanxess Arena, Cologne, Germany |
| 🗓️ Dates: | Saturday, August 10th – Sunday, August 18th, 2024 |
The IEM Cologne 2024 tournament structure unfolds in three distinct phases. Eight teams have secured direct qualification to the group stage. On the other hand, 16 teams must navigate a challenging Play-In double elimination bracket. Teams in this category must clinch two best-of-three victories to advance to the group stage. Two losses at this stage will result in elimination.
In another double-elimination format, the group stage combines the eight Play-In survivors with the pre-invited teams. Here, the upper bracket victor secures a semifinal berth, while the runner-up and lower bracket winner advance to the quarterfinals. The journey culminates in a high-stakes single-elimination playoffs, where six teams battle for supremacy. The grand finale unfolds in the iconic Lanxess Arena, revered as the Cathedral of Counter-Strike.
This offline tournament has a $1 million prize pool, with eventual champions receiving $400,000. The runners-up in the grand final receive $180,000 as a cash prize, while teams that reach the semi-finals receive $80,000 each.
Legal esports bookies in Germany have offered the following CS2 IEM Cologne 2024 odds for potential winners of this tournament. Here, we preview the top five teams:
Despite a fifth-place finish at the recent Esports World Cup, Team Spirit remains a strong contender in this contest. The squad demonstrated prowess by winning the BLAST Premier: Fall Groups 2024 and securing a runner-up position at BetBoom Dacha Belgrade 2024. They also achieved respectable fifth and third-place finishes at PGL Major Copenhagen 2024 and Intel Extreme Masters Dallas 2024, respectively.
Team Spirit’s track record boasts impressive victories at the BLAST Premier: Spring Final 2024, BLAST Premier: Spring Showdown 2024, and IEM Katowice. While their performance has been inconsistent lately, their history of dominance underscores their potential to excel when it counts. A solid start to this tournament could propel Team Spirit to another title win.
Currently reigning as the world’s top-ranked competitive CS2 team according to HLTV rankings, Natus Vincere (NAVI) have consistently showcased exceptional performance. Fresh off their triumphant victory at the Esports World Cup, they are undoubtedly hungry for further accolades. Before this conquest, NAVI clinched the PGL Major Copenhagen 2024 title in March. Additionally, they secured a runner-up finish at the BLAST Premier: Spring Final 2024. While their results have been inconsistent, with two ninth-place finishes at ESL Pro League Season 19 and IEM Dallas and a fifth-place finish at the BLAST Premier: Fall Groups 2024, NAVI’s ability to peak at crucial moments cannot be overstated. Given their championship pedigree, dismissing NAVI as a contender for this tournament would be a risky oversight.
As the reigning IEM Cologne champions, G2 Esports enter this tournament as strong contenders. Their recent performance, highlighted by a runner-up finish at the Esports World Cup, underscores their status as a top-tier team. With victories at Intel Extreme Masters Dallas 2024 and BLAST Premier: Fall Groups 2024, as well as semi-final appearances at IEM Chengdu 2024 and PGL Major Copenhagen 2024, G2 have demonstrated consistent success. The team’s roster, bolstered by the additions of Snax and malbsMd, has further enhanced their potential. Given their previous triumph in this competition, G2 are poised to challenge for the title again.
Despite fielding a formidable roster, Vitality has yet to secure a tournament victory this year. Their strongest showings thus far have been runner-up finishes at the ESL Pro League 19 and IEM Dallas. The team is undoubtedly aiming to recapture the dominant form that propelled them to multiple championship titles in 2023. A fifth-place finish at the Esports World Cup was a setback, but Vitality remains a solid team on their day. Their pedigree suggests a deep run in this tournament is within reach. With the proper performance, Team Vitality could clinch their first win of the season at the Cathedral of Counter-Strike. You can bet on 2024 CS2 IEM Cologne with vitality at odds of 5.50 (9/2). For those looking to bet on 2024 CS2 IEM Cologne, Vitality’s potential resurgence makes them an intriguing choice to consider.
Since their triumphant victory at IEM Chengdu in April 2024, FaZe Clan has encountered several setbacks, consistently finishing outside the top three in subsequent tournaments. This downturn began with fifth-place finishes at ESL Pro League Season 19 and IEM Dallas 2024 and continued with similar results at the BLAST Premier: Spring Final 2024 and the Esports World Cup. While these finishes have diminished their status as top contenders, FaZe Clan remains a formidable force with a roster boasting world-class talent in Karrigan, Broky, Rain, Ropz, and Frozen. Despite their recent struggles, the team’s previous title win this season is a reminder of their championship pedigree and capacity to rebound strongly.
Here are our CS2 predictions for 2024 IEM Cologne:
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To win top honours, you must be consistent when it matters, and Team Spirit has been excellent in that regard. The combination of donk and sh1ro is one of the most impactful duos in the world and has already been enough to guide Spirit to wins at IEM Katowice and BLAST Premier Spring Final. The duo have also been pivotal to Spirit’s grabbing the runner-up spot at BetBoom Dacha Belgrade 2024. Other results include fifth and third-place finishes at PGL Major Copenhagen 2024 and Intel Extreme Masters Dallas 2024, respectively. Team Spirit’s track record make them top favorites to win this contest. Most 2024 IEM Cologne predictions also expect this outcome. They have 3.50 (5/2) Esports online odds for betting to win this contest.
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Given their current form, Natus Vincere (NAVI) have the potential to reach the grand finals of this contest. Fresh from their Esports World Cup triumph, the team’s hunger for success will only increase. Apart from that win, NAVI also won the PGL Major Copenhagen 2024 title in March, while a commendable second-place finish at the BLAST Premier: Spring Final 2024 also appears in their portfolio. They have indeed suffered serious setbacks this season. Two ninth-place finishes at ESL Pro League Season 19 and IEM Dallas highlight this point. However, their recent win at the Esports World Cup further indicates the team’s resilience. They are strong contenders to reach the final stage of this tournament.
3 (100%)
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Furia Esports is expected to advance comfortably from the Play-In stage of this tournament. The Brazilian squad showcased its strength at the recent Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia, where they secured a commendable fifth-place finish. Its third-place result at YaLLa Compass 2024 also highlights its competitive edge. Although their previous results have been discouraging, recent performances have shown promise. If they can replicate their Saudi Arabian performance, Furia should be able to overcome its Play-In opponents.
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While the 9z Team may not be the current frontrunners in CS2, they are expected to win this match comfortably. Recent form has seen them secure a first-place finish at the FiReLEAGUE 2024: Global Finals. They also finished third at the IEM Dallas event. Compared to them, the BetBoom Team has managed fifth-place finishes in three of their last four tournaments, along with a 13th-place result in ESL Pro League 19. Given this performance disparity, 9z will likely emerge victorious in this matchup. 9z’s odds for Counter-Strike 2 in this matchup is 1.78 (3/4).
Here are our 2024 CS2 IEM Cologne betting tips:
Team Spirit is the top pick for victory in Germany. Ensure you use our betting predictions for IEM Cologne CS2 2024 guide to place winner wagers on any of your favourite bookies.
