One of the most anticipated events of the Counter Strike 2 calendar has just suffered a major blow. Team Spirit has officially withdrawn from IEM Melbourne 2025, leaving a noticeable gap in the competitive lineup of the tournament scheduled from April 21 to 27.
Why Did Team Spirit Withdraw from IEM Melbourne 2025?
In an official announcement shared by ESL, it was confirmed that Team Spirit declined their direct invite based on their Valve ranking. While the post didn’t elaborate on the specific cause, speculations point to the grueling travel required to compete in Australia and the toll it could take on players’ physical and mental health.
With long flights and jet lag potentially affecting player performance, the team may have prioritized rest and preparation for future events rather than risking burnout in an overseas tournament.
Source: ESL
Who Replaces Team Spirit at IEM Melbourne?
According to the Valve global rankings, G2 Esports was the next eligible team to receive the invite. However, they also declined the opportunity, followed by FURIA and Astralis, both of whom also turned down the offer.
In a surprising twist, ESL approached Wildcard, B8, and Heroic—but none could accept due to visa issues and tight time constraints for international travel.
Eventually, ESL confirmed that Complexity Gaming accepted the invite, thanks to their existing travel documentation and readiness to compete. This replacement secures their place in the prestigious Melbourne tournament.
Complexity Joins the Lineup: Visa Ready and Motivated
ESL emphasized that 15 out of the 16 participating teams already have their visas approved. Only one player, whose name hasn’t been disclosed, will be unable to travel due to documentation issues.
With Complexity officially stepping in, fans can expect a fierce and balanced showdown, despite the absence of a tournament favorite like Team Spirit.
Second Major Withdrawal: Eternal Fire Also Out
Team Spirit isn’t the only organization to exit IEM Melbourne 2025. Earlier this month, Eternal Fire, a team recently acquired by Aurora, also pulled out of the tournament.
On April 3, ESL revealed that Eternal Fire declined their spot. While no official explanation was provided, it’s believed that the recent roster transition may have influenced the decision. Their position was filled by the rising Portuguese squad, SAW.
Confirmed Team List for IEM Melbourne 2025
Despite two major withdrawals, IEM Melbourne 2025 remains packed with top-tier Counter Strike 2 talent. Here is the final list of confirmed teams competing for the $300,000 prize pool:
Participating Teams:
Team Vitality
Team Liquid
Pain Gaming
The MongolZ
FlyQuest
FaZe Clan
Natus Vincere
MOUZ
Team Falcons
Virtus.pro
GamerLegion
3DMAX
MIBR
BIG
SAW
Complexity
The Counter Strike 2 tournament will feature live matches at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, making it one of the most prestigious LAN events of the 2025 CS2 season.