The first major in Counter-Strike 2, the Intel Extreme Masters Sydney 2023 is set to begin on Monday, October 16 and will conclude on Sunday, October 22.

Developed by Valve Corporation, Counter-Strike 2 is a newly-launched 2023 multiplayer tactical first-person shooter video game.

The total prize pool for Intel Extreme Masters Sydney 2023 is $250,000 USD and this eSports tournament will be held at the Aware Super Theatre in Sydney.

As many as 16 teams will participate in Intel Extreme Masters Sydney 2023, including some winners from a few of the latest major tournaments in the world. The 16 teams have been into two groups of eight sides each.

Intel Extreme Masters Sydney 2023 teams and groups

Group A

  • Vitality
  • BetBoom
  • FaZe
  • GamerLegion
  • Natus Vincere
  • Apeks
  • VERTEX
  • MOUZ

Group B

  • ENCE
  • G2
  • Cloud9
  • Monte
  • fnatic
  • Grayhound
  • Complexity
  • Lynn Vision

Intel Extreme Masters Sydney 2023 format

The Intel Extreme Masters Sydney 2023 will begin with the group stage where the two aforementioned groups will compete in a double-elimination format.

The opening matches for each of the eight teams from both groups will be a best-of-one game, while the rest of the encounters will be in a best-of-three format.

After all the teams from both groups have squared off against each other, the top three sides from the respective groups will progress to the playoffs.

While the group stage winner will go directly to the semi-finals, the second and third-placed teams will advance to the quarter-finals as the High and Low seeds respectively.

The Playoffs stage games will all take place in a single-elimination format and matches will be played in the best-of-three format to determine who the last team standing is come the final.

Where to watch Intel Extreme Masters Sydney 2023? 

Live streaming of Intel Extreme Masters Sydney 2023 will be available on intelextrememasters.com.

Photo credit: Alamy