After the emotional conclusion of the PGL Major in Astana, the world’s best teams are set to clash once again — this time at IEM Dallas 2025. This event is expected to be a crucial milestone before the summer break: a chance for some teams to redeem themselves, and for others — to solidify their dominance.
Location, Schedule, and Format
IEM Dallas 2025 will take place from May 19 to May 26 in Dallas, USA.
- The group stage will run from May 19 to 22 in a best-of-three format.
- The top three teams from each group advance to the playoffs
- Group winners proceed directly to the semifinals
- Second-place teams enter the quarterfinals as high seeds
- Third-place teams enter the quarterfinals as low seeds
The playoffs will be held from May 23 to 25 with a single-elimination bracket:
- Quarterfinals and semifinals – best-of-three
- Grand Final – best-of-five
The total prize pool amounts to $300,000.
Participating Teams
Sixteen teams from around the world will compete at IEM Dallas 2025:
- Direct invites: G2, Team Vitality, FaZe Clan, Aurora, MOUZ, Team Liquid, FURIA, The MongolZ
- European Qualifier: Team Falcons, BC.Game, 3DMAX, GamerLegion, HEROIC
- North American Qualifier: NRG
- South American Qualifier: Legacy
- Asian Qualifier: Lynn Vision
What’s at Stake?
- G2 will play with a substitute — hades (on loan from Monte) replaces huNter-. Despite finishing 9–12th in Astana, malbsMd showed impressive individual form with a 1.24 rating. This is a new chapter for the squad.
- Team Vitality come in as favorites, riding a 25-match win streak, champions of IEM Melbourne and winners of Intel Grand Slam Season 5.
- FaZe Clan loaned s1mple to replace roky — a high-profile debut for the CS legend in CS2. All eyes will be on how quickly he adapts.
- Aurora impressed with a 3rd place finish at the PGL Major — they’re no longer underdogs.
- MOUZ continue to deliver strong results and recently added Spinx, whose impact has already been felt.
- Team Liquid have struggled all year, including a 5–6th finish at IEM Melbourne — expectations are low.
- FURIA, with molodoy and YEKINDAR, reached the top 4 in Astana — if they maintain momentum, they’re serious contenders.
- The MongolZ underperformed in Astana, but remain dangerous and unpredictable.
- Team Falcons, powered by NiKo and m0NESY, have made back-to-back finals recently — they could finally take down Vitality.
- Teams like BC.Game, 3DMAX, NRG, and Lynn Vision may struggle against top-tier opposition but are capable of early-stage upsets.
Favorites, Underdogs, and Dark Horses
Favorites:
- Team Vitality – dominant all spring with structured play and elite individual performance
- Team Falcons – on the verge of a breakthrough, and Dallas could be their redemption
- MOUZ – consistent and strong, with fresh energy from Spinx
- The MongolZ – if they recover from the Major slump, they can go deep
Underdogs:
- NRG, Lynn Vision, 3DMAX, BC.Game – unlikely to survive the group stage
Potential Surprises:
- G2 with hades – still have top-tier potential
- FaZe Clan with s1mple – chaos or brilliance? Could be both
- FURIA – new blood has already paid off, and momentum is on their side
- Aurora – fearless and proven at the highest level
- GamerLegion – motivated to bounce back after a disastrous 0–3 exit in Astana
Must-Watch Matches
- FaZe vs Team Liquid – s1mple’s debut in FaZe colors
- Aurora vs HEROIC – form check for two rising rosters
- The MongolZ vs FURIA – clash of tempo and aggression
Matches of the first group day:
- 3DMAX vs GamerLegion
- Liquid vs FaZe
- Vitality vs Legacy
- MOUZ vs BC.Game
- G2 vs Lynn Vision
- Falcons vs NRG
- The MongolZ vs FURIA
- Aurora vs HEROIC
Conclusion
IEM Dallas 2025 promises to be an explosive tournament. As the last major event before the Austin Major, the stakes are higher than ever. Teams will either look to solidify their place among the elite or finally make their long-awaited breakthrough. And while Team Vitality enters the tournament unbeaten, history has shown time and again — in Dallas, anyone can rise to the occasion.
