The IEM Cologne 2021 schedule has been set, with the first round of matches drawn ahead of the showpiece CS:GO event. Here's everything you need to know to enjoy the action from the Lanxess Arena.
IEM Cologne 2021 schedule
The IEM Cologne 2021 schedule sees teams in action from July 6, when the play-ins get under way, through to the Grand Final on July 18.
Opening matches
The opening matches at IEM Cologne 2021 take place on July 6 as the Play-In stage gets under way. The matches are:
12pm CEST
Bad News Bears vs mousesports
NIP vs Team LDLC
Team Spirit vs MIBR
1.30pm CEST
Renegades vs Team Vitality
1.40pm CEST
Sprout vs BIG
3pm CEST
Evil Geniuses vs FaZe Clan
Complexity vs Vici Gaming
IEM Cologne live streams
IEM Cologne live streams are available for fans to watch at Luckbox on the CS:GO matches page.
Who are the favourites?
Gambit are the slight favourites to win IEM Cologne 2021 with odds of 2.73 at Luckbox. That means a bet of €10 would return €27.30. Natus Vincere are not far behind, at 2.80, while Heroic, champions of ESL One Cologne 2020, are third-favourites at 2.90.
Last time this event was held at the Lanxess, Team Liquid emerged as champions but the North Americans star has since faded and they find themselves eighth on the list of favourites, with odds of 6.50.
Read Waldo's IEM Cologne 2021 predictions.
Which teams will be there?
The full list of teams and IEM Cologne betting odds:
- Gambit - 2.73
- Na'Vi - 2.80
- Heroic - 2.90
- G2 Esports - 3.60
- Virtus.pro - 3.80
- Astralis - 4.25
- FURIA - 6.50
- Team Liquid - 6.50
- Team Spirit - 10.00
- Team Vitality - 11.00
- BIG - 12.00
- OG - 12.00
- mouseports - 13.25
- Complexity - 13.25
- NIP - 13.25
- Evil Geniuses - 15.00
- FaZe - 15.00
- MIBR - 23.00
- Sprout - 61.00
- Team LDLC - 71.00
- Renegades - 81.00
- TeamOne - 96.00
- Bad News Bears - 126.00
- Vici Gaming - 176.00
Is it LAN event?
Unlike Cologne 2020, which was played online, IEM Cologne 2021 will be a LAN event, with teams competing at the Lanxess Arena, also known as the Cathedral of Counter-Strike.
IEM Cologne 2021 tickets
Unfortunately, no live audience will be allowed to attend, due to Covid-19 restrictions. IEM Cologne 2021 tickets will be valid for the event in 2022, organisers ESL have said. The playoffs for IEM Cologne 2022 are due to take place from July 15 to July 17.
What's the format?
The tournament features 24 CS:GO teams taking part in three phases.
- Play-In: July 6 to July 7.
- Group Stage: July 8 to July 11.
- Play-Offs: July 16 to July 18.
All matches are best of three (BO3) except the opening matches, which are BO1 and the Grand Final, which is BO5.
Eight teams advance from the Play-In to the group stage and then the top three of each group head to the Play-Offs. The two group winners advance directly to the semifinals, with the remaining four having to play quarterfinals.
IEM Cologne 2021 prize pool
1st Place: $ 400,000 USD, 1,800 ESL Points, and 3,200 BLAST Points
2nd Place: $ 180,000 USD, 1,400 ESL Points, and 1,600 BLAST Points
3rd-4th Place: $ 80,000 USD, 1,100 ESL Points, and 1,000 BLAST Points
5th-6th Place: $ 40,000 USD, 825 ESL Points, and 400 BLAST Points
7th-8th Place: $ 24,000 USD, 575 ESL Points, and 200 BLAST Points
9th-12th Place: $ 16,000 USD, and 325 ESL Points
13th-16th Place: $ 10,000 USD, and 125 ESL Points
17th-20th Place: $ 4,500 USD, and 60 ESL Points
21th-24th Place: $ 2,500 USD
Pictures: Helena Kristiansson / ESL
