Frokat
The beloved competitive stage, Intel Extreme Masters Katowice, is set to celebrate its 9th anniversary this year. The massive stage has hosted numerous champions over the years, spanning across multiple titles such as League of Legends, Dota 2, StarCraft, and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
XVI Katowice 2022Poland, Katowice, Spodek
FaZe Clan
G2 Esports
HeroicBeing a centerpiece of the esports world, IEM Katowice had a special place in each of the esports fans’ hearts. Which is why the news about the global pandemic-related restrictions forcing the event to scale down were especially upsetting to all of us. Having to operate in the COVID-ravaged world, IEM Katowice had to take place without an audience in 2020, which took away the main point of what makes it special – you, the fans. The following year was no better, as the event took place fully online in 2021.
But it seems that things are finally turning for the better as the IEM Katowice organizers have announced a long-awaited return to the original format. The tenth installment of the Katowice series will once again feature a live audience – and, obviously, that also means that it will be a LAN event again.
The good old, but still newly updated event is coming back in its full glory in 2022. Featuring a fresh and sleek visual identity, the event finally goes back to its initial LAN format with a live audience after a two-year lull. As a fan of both CS:GO and StarCraft 2, all I can say is let’s go!
Stay tuned for the updates as we approach the event in just a bit over a month: the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive tournament is scheduled to take place on February 15-27. For the RTS enjoyers out there, Katowice also features a StarCraft: Legacy of the Void series, scheduled for February 19-27.