ESL announce IEM Katowice 2020

ESL has shared the first details about next year's Intel Extreme Masters Katowice event. $500,000 is up for grabs with the winner taking home $250,000. 

The tournament will take place at Spodek Arena from February 28 to March 1, with the winner earning a point towards Intel Grand Slam Season 3. It represents the first of two Masters-level competitions from the ESL Pro Tour. The other event is ESL One Cologne which will be held in July.

A total of 16 teams will compete in the event, 10 of which will be invited while the remaining 6 will be determined via regional qualifiers. IEM Katowice 2020's format will be two double-elimination groups followed by a 6-team playoff. 

ESL vice president of pro gaming, Michal Blicharz said in a statement: “Here in Katowice we do not only remember but also make esports history. This Intel Extreme Masters will be very special in that respect." He went on to add, "When it first took place in 2013 it started the era of esports mega tournaments. Now, a new era starts for us with the first-ever Masters Championship of the ESL Pro Tour."

Astralis won this year's IEM Katowice title after defeating ENCE in the final. However, it was Team Liquid that eventually took home the $1 million prize in just 63 days.