From July 23 to 25, the cathedral of Counter-Strike opens its doors to sixteen hopefuls, but only eight will survive. IEM Cologne 2025 kicks off with the Play-In Stage — a brutal double-elimination bracket packed with hungry Tier-1 teams, new rosters, and redemption arcs. For some, it’s a warm-up. For others, it’s their only shot at the big stage in LANXESS Arena. Let’s break down the format, schedule, and which squads are poised to make it out alive.
Stage 1 format
Sixteen teams enter the IEM Cologne 2025 Play-In Stage in a double-elimination bracket. All matches are best-of-three. Winners of the second upper bracket round qualify directly, while the rest fight through the lower bracket for the remaining four group stage spots.
Opening matches
Wednesday, July 23 — All times CEST:
- 10:30 — GamerLegion vs Complexity
- 10:30 — TYLOO vs Virtus.pro
- 13:00 — Astralis vs B8
- 13:00 — FlyQuest vs FURIA
- 15:30 — FaZe Clan vs BIG
- 15:30 — 3DMAX vs MIBR
- 18:00 — Liquid vs paiN
- 18:00 — Ninjas in Pyjamas vs HEROIC
Locked and loaded
FaZe Clan, Astralis, and Complexity are entering Cologne with serious expectations. FaZe look revitalized with broky back in the server and are eager to prove their place among contenders. Astralis finally show signs of cohesion with dev1ce and HooXi working in sync, bringing balance between firepower and structure. Complexity, on the other hand, arrive with momentum — hallzerk is in excellent form, and the team’s mid-rounding looks sharper than ever.
Fragile giants
Virtus.pro, Team Liquid, and HEROIC are all capable of going deep but equally prone to early exits. Virtus.pro have added Perfecto, but the lineup still struggles with consistency and tempo. Team Liquid continue to show promise yet remain plagued by coordination issues and identity shifts. HEROIC arrive with a completely reworked roster — new AWPer, rifler, and coach — and while they can catch fire, they’re still figuring themselves out.
Potential risers
paiN Gaming, GamerLegion, FURIA, and Ninjas in Pyjamas are teams that can quietly break into the top eight. paiN’s trio of hard-hitters gives them an explosive edge, especially against passive opponents. GamerLegion have a new AWPer and a high-risk-high-reward style that thrives in early-stage chaos. FURIA’s structured chaos continues to produce unpredictable but occasionally brilliant outcomes. NiP, with r1nkle and Kaspersky, are finally showing LAN form, combining discipline with fresh firepower.
Dark horse watch
TYLOO, and MIBR may not be favorites, but they have proven they can hang with anyone on their day. TYLOO enter Cologne with Jee finally back in the lineup, and their deep run at FISSURE Playground suggests they’re not to be underestimated. MIBR still struggle with consistency, but their experience makes them a dangerous draw in elimination matches.
Community draftees
FlyQuest, B8, BIG, and 3DMAX round out the pack as the least favored — but that makes them dangerous. FlyQuest are a newly built squad with jks still finding chemistry, but their bootcamp preparation hints at a disciplined approach. B8 rely on solid teamplay over star performances, which can work in slower-paced matches. BIG are always a LAN wild card, while 3DMAX need early success to build momentum — otherwise, they risk fading quickly.
Final thoughts
Stage 1 is brutal: eight teams will be eliminated before the main event even begins. With upsets around every corner and high-pressure BO3s, expect heartbreak, heroics, and breakout performances. FaZe, Astralis, and Complexity lead the charge, but Cologne is never predictable.
