ESL FaceIt Group and Intel renewed their long-standing partnership to help premier Counter-Strike esports competitors worldwide.
The brand new multi-year deal will proceed Intel ‘s work with ESL for the ESL Pro Tour and IEM events, which have been a cornerstone of the Counter-Strike esports scene. When the renewed contract begins in January 2025, EFG and Intel will have been partners for 24 years, dating back to when ESL was a separate entity. I think the deal, despite Intel’s weakened enterprise, is one other signal that the esports winter is over.
Since that point, Intel Excessive Masters occasions have drawn over two billion hours watched, with LAN occasions on 5 continents and over $27 million in prize cash distributed. In 2024 alone, IEM broadcasts drew 162 million hours watched and almost 160,000 attendees. I attended a Counter-Strike esports occasion final yr in Cologne, Germany — and the sound of the 13,000-strong crowd was deafening.
“Intel has been a strong supporter of competitive gaming since the 1990s, and ESL and EFG have been essential partners in supporting the esports community throughout the decades,” mentioned Roger Chandler, common supervisor of the Fanatic PC and Workstation Phase at Intel, in an announcement. “With this new multi-year agreement with EFG, Intel® is continuing its commitment to grow the industry, provide competitive opportunities, and support players with industry-leading Intel Core products.”
The renewal was introduced forward of the Grand Finals for Intel Excessive Masters Katowice, which introduced 24 of the world’s finest Counter-Strike 2 groups to the Spodek Enviornment to face off for a $1,250,000 million prize pool and a win within the race to safe the $1 million Intel Grand Slam V.
In 2024, the companions placed on the A centesimal-ever IEM occasion with the most-viewed IEM Dallas event ever, that includes 22.3 million hours watched and peak viewership of greater than 1.8 million globally because the longest-running esports event on the planet celebrated its centennial look. Final yr, IEM occasions in Cologne, Germany; Dallas; and Katowice, Poland have been absolutely offered out with packed arenas in each Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Chengdu, China.
“This is more than just a renewal, it’s a strategic partnership that exemplifies the kind of collaborations we value most,” mentioned Rodrigo Samwell, chief industrial officer at EFG, in an announcement. “Over time, Intel has become the most respected brand in esports because they’ve been with us, building this industry from the ground up. You simply cannot touch the pedigree that Intel has earned with the esports and gaming communities. Together, we’re excited to continue delivering unparalleled experiences and celebrating IEM champions for years to come.”
“Since joining forces 20 years ago, ESL FaceIt Group and Intel have invested hundreds of millions of dollars into a now billion-dollar industry, creating many of the world’s most prestigious esports tournaments and setting the standard for stadium events,” mentioned Bastian Veiser, director of accomplice administration at EFG, in an announcement. “From supporting grassroots tournaments years ago to standing-room-only arenas now, this partnership has played a crucial role in bringing esports into the mainstream.”
