Starcraft 2 news » Intel® Extreme Masters Katowice Is Back for 2019

We’re excited to announce that StarCraft II will once again be featured at Intel® Extreme Masters (IEM) Katowice. From online qualifiers in January through to the Grand Finals on March 3, players will be battling it out for their share of a prize pool worth over USD $250,000.

Round of 76: February 25–26

Think you have what it takes to play with some of the best SC2 players in the world? There will be a series of online qualifiers in January, as well as an on-site qualifier at the ESL studio in Katowice on February 25–26. For more information about these qualifiers, keep an eye on the official IEM website.

Round of 24 Group Stage: February 28–March 1

This will be held in ICC Katowice, and good news for us—2018 World Championship Series champion Joona “Serral” Sotala has accepted his invitation to compete and will be seeded directly into this phase of the tournament.

Round of 12 Through Grand Finals: March 2–3

The top three players from each group will advance to the 12-player playoff bracket. Both the semifinals and Grand Finals will take place on Spodek Arena’s main stage on the final day of IEM Katowice. The first champion of the year will earn a direct seed into the 2019 WCS Global Finals.

Premium Tickets on Sale November 29

Perfect for the passionate StarCraft esports fan, this ticket includes a goodie bag, a dedicated entrance, and premium seating, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the competition from one of the best seats in the house.

War Chest Katowice 2019

IEM Katowice’s prize pool has the potential to be bolstered—by you! Purchasing the in-game War Chest, available in December, can help add an additional maximum USD $150,000 to the existing USD $250,000 prize pool.

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For more information about IEM Katowice, including tournament information, the upcoming qualifiers and ticket sales, follow IEM on Twitter and Facebook, and visit the official IEM website.