ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) and Intel have announced the multi-year renewal of their longstanding Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) partnership.
The esports tournament organiser will continue collaborating with the technology company for its ESL Pro Tour and Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) tournaments.
With the beginning of the renewed contract in January 2025, EFG and Intel have been partners for 24 years, jointly delivering CS2 events in Cologne, Dallas, Rio de Janeiro and more. According to a press release, IEM events have recorded over 2bn combined watch hours as well as distributed more than $27m (~£21.7m) in prize money.
“This is more than just a renewal, it’s a strategic partnership that exemplifies the kind of collaborations we value most,” said Rodrigo Samwell, Chief Commercial Officer, ESL FACEIT Group. “Over time, Intel has become the most respected brand in esports because they’ve been with us, building this industry from the ground up.”
Throughout EFG’s and Intel’s partnership, IEM Katowice has established itself as one of the most prestigious competitions in Counter-Strike esports. Its 2025 edition kicked off on January 29th and will soon head into its final stages. A total of 24 teams qualified to compete for the $1m (~£803,000) prize pool.
According to esports data platform Esports Charts, last year’s IEM Katowice saw more than 970,000 peak viewers tune into the Grand Final between FaZe Clan and Team Spirit. Moreover, the 2024 IEM event in Dallas became the 100th competition organised by EFG and Intel.
ESL FACEIT Group and Intel
Esports and gaming entertainment company ESL FACEIT Group is built upon the legacies of veteran esports brands ESL, FACEIT and Dreamhack. In 2022, Saudi Arabian government-backed Savvy Gaming Group bought both ESL Gaming and FACEIT to form the new conglomerate.
While primarily known for its CS2 and Dota2 tournaments, EFG hosts events across numerous esports titles, including StarCraft II, EA Sports FC and mobile esports.
Earlier this year, the company also announced the first-ever IEM to take place in Melbourne, Australia.
Technology brand Intel has been an active supporter of esports since the industry’s early days, having worked with various esports organisations and tournament organisers.
“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,” commented Samwell on Intel’s stake in esports.
