IEM Rio 2024 is here! From October 7th – 13th, 16 teams will descend on Brazil to put on one of the biggest CS2 tournaments in the world. There’s $250,000 on the line here, as well as a qualification spot to IEM Katowice 2025 for the eventual winner. With tournament invites being based on Valve’s rankings (which in turn is based on prize money) in a few months’ time, it’s set to be an important event.

Brazilian CS crowds have always been among the loudest and most passionate on the planet. It’s always a joy to see Brazilian tournaments, and hopefully, fans will have a home team in the Playoffs to cheer for on the big stage. Here’s all the key information about IEM Rio 2024!

Watch IEM Rio 2024 Live

When IEM Rio 2024 begins on October 7th, you’ll be able to catch all the competitive CS2 action on the official ESL Twitch channel.

IEM Rio 2024 Format and Teams

IEM Rio 2024 follows the standard format seen in all mid-tier ESL events. GSL Groups into a single-elimination Playoffs bracket. This CS2 tournament sees the return of best-of-one matches and a best-of-three Grand Final, which haven’t been seen over the last few S-Tier events.

• Group Stage:
  • Two double-elimination format (GSL) Groups
    • Each group has eight teams
    • Opening matches are best-of-one
    • All following matches are best-of-three
  • The top three teams from each group advance to the Playoffs:
    • Group stage winners advance to the Semifinals
    • Group stage runners-up advance to the Quarterfinals as the High Seeds
    • Group stage 3^rd place teams advance to the Quarterfinals as the Low Seeds
• Playoffs:
  • Single-Elimination bracket
  • All matches are best-of-three, including the Grand Final

IEM Rio 2024 Teams

16 teams are attending IEM Rio 2024, including last year’s winners, Team Vitality. They have been separated into two groups of eight, which are as follows:

Group A

• NAVI
• Imperial Esports
• Complexity
• Team Liquid
• FaZe Clan
• FURIA Esports
• paiN Gaming
• MOUZ

Group B

• Team Vitality
• 9z Team
• The MongolZ
• Virtus.pro
• Eternal Fire
• Astralis
• Heroic
• G2 Esports

It should be noted that Rare Atom were originally to attend this event, but missed out last minute due to visa issues. In line with ESL’s replacement rules, Imperial Esports was invited in Rare Atom’s place.

IEM Rio 2024 Predictions

Coming into IEM Rio 2024, it’s easy to paint NAVI as favorites straight away. They’re undoubtedly the best CS2 team in the world right now, having reached five consecutive Grand Finals. However, this could be taking a physical toll on the team, and we think there could be some signs of this on the server in Brazil. Instead, we’re backing G2 to go back-to-back after their win at the BLAST Premier Fall Final 2024. NiKo and m0NESY are in incredible form right now, and even Snax’s rough individual level can’t stop them from winning.

For our dark horse, we’re going to go with FURIA. It’s lazy, I know, and perhaps wishful thinking more than anything else. But FalleN will want the chance to play in front of a home crowd one more time, and at 33 years old, he won’t have too many more chances to do so before he calls time on his career. I reckon FURIA will at least make it to the Playoffs of IEM Rio 2024, making a great underdog run on home soil.