ESL has officially confirmed the list of teams that received direct invitations to Intel Extreme Masters Chengdu 2025. The tournament will take place in Chengdu, China, from November 3 to 9, and will be one of the major events of the autumn Counter-Strike 2 calendar, bringing together 16 teams from all over the world. At stake — $1,000,000 in prize money and valuable ESL Pro Tour points.
Context and significance of the tournament
ALL 16 TEAMS INVITED TO #IEM CHENGDU 2025 🇨🇳@TeamVitalityCS @Team__Spirit @FURIA @paiNGamingBR @1mongolz @tyloogaming @mousesports @natusvincere @FalconsEsport @FaZeEsports @AstralisCS @G2esports @3DMAXGaming @Lynnvision_ @virtuspro @heroicgg pic.twitter.com/aXOBJpFIwG
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) August 26, 2025
IEM Chengdu marks the return of top-tier CS2 to China after a break and is set to be one of the most anticipated events of the season. The schedule adds extra intrigue: the tournament begins just one day after the conclusion of PGL Major Bucharest 2025, making it a kind of continuation of the Major and another chance for teams to prove their strength in the global race for supremacy. The format remains classic for the IEM series:
- Group stage: Double Elimination (Bo3).
- The top six teams advance to the playoffs, starting November 7.
- Grand Final: Bo5.
GL and Aurora withdraw, giving VP and Heroic a chance
Not all invitations were accepted immediately. It is known that GamerLegion and Aurora decided to skip the event. Their spots went to Virtus.pro and Heroic, who joined the list thanks to their high positions in the Global VRS standings. Thus, even without GL and Aurora, Chengdu will host one of the strongest lineups possible.
Full team list for IEM Chengdu 2025
Europe:
- Team Vitality — reigning champions of several major tournaments, with ZywOo’s squad still the main contender for the title.
- MOUZ — a consistent team already boasting top results in CS2, aiming for another trophy.
- Team Falcons — the revamped project with NiKo and m0NESY, who have firmly established themselves among the 2025 favorites.
- Astralis — the Danish legend striving to regain former glory.
- G2 Esports — undergoing a rebuild but still maintaining a strong roster and loyal fan base.
- 3DMAX — the breakout sensation of the season, already proving capable of eliminating favorites.
- Natus Vincere — searching for stability after a string of disappointing results.
- FaZe Clan — the star-studded roster that is always among the contenders.
CIS:
- Virtus.pro — earned their chance via the global ranking and will try to meet expectations.
- Team Spirit — the squad of donk, the phenomenon of the season, and one of the scariest forces in CS2.
Asia:
- TYLOO — the legendary Chinese tag now with a chance to shine in front of their home fans.
- Lynn Vision — another Chinese representative, steadily gaining momentum in the region.
- The MongolZ — champions of EWC 2025 and the biggest sensation of the year, now firmly among the global favorites.
Americas:
- FURIA Esports — Brazil’s strongest lineup, aiming to regain consistency.
- paiN Gaming — another Brazilian team that has recently shown steady progress.
Scandinavia:
- Heroic — despite internal struggles, they earned a place in Chengdu and will attempt to use it as a chance for revival.
Expectations and intrigue
IEM Chengdu promises to be an incredibly competitive tournament. For the first time on Chinese soil, we will simultaneously see:
- EWC champions (The MongolZ),
- European giants (Vitality, FaZe, G2, MOUZ, Spirit, Falcons),
- Brazilian fighters (FURIA and paiN),
- and local favorites (TYLOO and Lynn Vision), who will look to surprise their home crowd.
This mix guarantees fierce battles, with each team carrying unique motivation: from solidifying the new generation’s dominance to restoring the legacy of old champions.
IEM Chengdu 2025 is not just another IEM tournament, but an event that will summarize the year before the season’s final stretch. Chinese fans will get the chance to see the world’s best teams live, while online viewers will enjoy a week of world-class CS2.
With the lineup of participants and the proximity to the Major, the Chengdu tournament could become one of the defining moments in shaping the global balance of power in 2025.
