The IEM Melbourne 2025 Playoffs are officially set, with only six elite Counter Strike 2 teams left competing for the title in one of the year’s most anticipated CS2 events. The tournament now moves to the iconic Rod Laver Arena, promising a weekend of thrilling matches in front of a live Australian crowd.
After a fierce Group Stage, the top six teams were locked in. Vitality and MOUZ, the strongest performers in their groups, have earned direct semifinal spots. The other four teams will battle through the quarterfinals for a shot at the title.
Quarterfinal Matchups
The quarterfinals kick off on Friday, April 25, with two high-stakes matches that could shake the bracket:
Friday’s Matches (CEST Time)
Falcons vs Gamer Legion – 9:00 AM
The MongolZ vs Team Liquid – 12:00 PM
Vitality and MOUZ will face the winners of these matches in the semifinals, continuing a rivalry that last peaked at the ESL Pro League Season 21 (rel=”nofollow”), where Vitality came out on top.
Source: ESL
Vitality’s Million Dollar Pressure
There’s more than just the trophy at stake. Team Vitality is on the verge of claiming the Intel Grand Slam, which would earn them $1 million in prize money. To spice things up, ESL has offered a $100,000 bounty to any team that eliminates Vitality during the tournament or at the ESL Pro Tour Masters Grand Final.
This unique challenge adds extra fuel to an already explosive event. The pressure is on, and every remaining squad will have an eye on dethroning the tournament favorites.
Source: ESL
The IEM Melbourne 2025 Playoffs promise top-tier Counter Strike 2 action, high stakes, and intense rivalries. With Vitality chasing the Grand Slam and others chasing glory — every match will count.
Remember that the tournament is broadcast through ESL Counter-Strike’s official channels on YouTube and Twitch