ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) has partnered with hardware manufacturer Acer and esports data company Bayes Esports.
The deals will see both companies enhance the ongoing 2025 Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Katowice Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) tournament with their products and services.
As EFG’s Original Equip Manufacturer Partner throughout ESL’s CS2 ecosystem, Acer’s Predator product line will be part of the ESL Challenger League, the ESL Pro League and IEM events.
In addition, the partnership will be celebrated during the IEM Katowice Playoffs from February 7th to 9th with an immersive activation and a product announcement.
IEM Katowice is one of the most prestigious international tournaments in the CS2 competitive calendar. This year’s edition sees 24 teams competing for a $1m (~£798,700) prize pool. With over 1m fans tuning into the Group Stage ahead of the Playoffs, IEM Katowice 2025 has already surpassed the peak viewership of its predecessor.
Acer has supported various esports stakeholders in the past, including esports organisation Berlin International Gaming (BIG) and esports platform Lets Game Now (LGN). The manufacturer also collaborated with EFG for previous CS2 as well as Dota 2 competitions in 2024.
EFG and Bayes Esports
Esports data company Bayes Esports has also been a long-standing partner of ESL FACEIT Group. The duo’s collaboration dates back to 2020 and has now been extended to include Bayes’ Live Match Predictions feature.
Starting with the IEM Katowice Playoffs, the tool will elevate EFG tournaments with real-time probability percentages regarding the outcome of a match or the likelihood of overtime. Bayes Live Match Predictions will be utilised on ESL’s live broadcast for IEM Katowice.
Moreover, the feature looks to unlock native ad space to increase the value of EFG’s other brand partnerships.
“At EFG, we are always looking for ways to push the boundaries of esports entertainment and make the experience as engaging as possible,” said Falko Wächter, Senior Director of Partner Management, Brand Partnerships EMEA at ESL FACEIT Group.
“Bayes Esports has consistently impressed us with its innovative tools powered by our data. Their dynamic Live Predictions not only enhance the viewing experience but also create new opportunities for our partners to connect with fans in real-time.”
IEM events are organised by esports and gaming entertainment conglomerate EFG in collaboration with technology company Intel. The two organisations recently renewed their long-standing partnership this month.