ESL FACEIT Group and Intel announce multi-year partnership renewal

ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) and Intel have introduced the multi-year renewal of their longstanding Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) partnership.

The esports match organiser will proceed collaborating with the know-how firm for its ESL Professional Tour and Intel Excessive Masters (IEM) tournaments.

With the start of the renewed contract in January 2025, EFG and Intel have been companions for twenty-four years, collectively delivering CS2 occasions in Cologne, Dallas, Rio de Janeiro and extra. In line with a press launch, IEM occasions have recorded over 2bn mixed watch hours in addition to distributed greater than $27m (~£21.7m) in prize cash.

“That is greater than only a renewal, it’s a strategic partnership that exemplifies the type of collaborations we worth most,” mentioned Rodrigo Samwell, Chief Industrial Officer, ESL FACEIT Group. “Over time, Intel has turn into essentially the most revered model in esports as a result of they’ve been with us, constructing this trade from the bottom up.”

All through EFG’s and Intel’s partnership, IEM Katowice has established itself as probably the most prestigious competitions in Counter-Strike esports. Its 2025 version kicked off on January twenty ninth and can quickly head into its ultimate levels. A complete of 24 groups certified to compete for the $1m (~£803,000) prize pool.

In line with esports knowledge platform Esports Charts, final yr’s IEM Katowice noticed greater than 970,000 peak viewers tune into the Grand Remaining between FaZe Clan and Crew Spirit. Furthermore, the 2024 IEM occasion in Dallas turned the a hundredth competitors organised by EFG and Intel.

Esports and gaming leisure firm ESL FACEIT Group is constructed upon the legacies of veteran esports manufacturers ESL, FACEIT and Dreamhack. In 2022, Saudi Arabian government-backed Savvy Gaming Group purchased each ESL Gaming and FACEIT to kind the brand new conglomerate.

Whereas primarily recognized for its CS2 and Dota2 tournaments, EFG hosts occasions throughout quite a few esports titles, together with StarCraft II, EA Sports activities FC and cell esports.

Earlier this yr, the corporate additionally introduced the first-ever IEM to happen in Melbourne, Australia.

Know-how model Intel has been an energetic supporter of esports for the reason that trade’s early days, having labored with numerous esports organisations and match organisers.

“You merely can not contact the pedigree that Intel has earned with the esports and gaming communities. Collectively, we’re excited to proceed delivering unparalleled experiences and celebrating IEM champions for years to return,” commented Samwell on Intel’s stake in esports.