ESL has announced that the Intel Extreme Masters will return to Sydney for another 16-team tournament with $250,000 on the line.

The event will mark the 75th stop in the history of IEM and will culminate with three days of action in front of a live crowd from May 3-5 at the Qudos Bank Arena, the same location as the previous two Big Events hosted by ESL in Australia.

Eight teams will receive invites to IEM Sydney, while the remaining spots will be filled through online qualifiers. Europe and North America have both been allocated one qualifying spot, while Asia and Oceania will have three apiece.

IEM will return to the Qudos Bank Arena in May

The tournament will begin with a double-elimination group stage, running from April 30 through May 2. The group winners will progress to the semi-finals, while the second and the third-placed sides will square off in the first round of the playoffs, with the tournament concluding with a best-of-five grand final.

“What we have managed to build in just two years with ESL Australia and the ANZ gaming community is absolutely incredible," ESL VP of Pro Gaming Micha? Blicharz said.

"IEM Sydney is quickly becoming a staple esports event not just in Australia but globally, and it’s something we’re incredibly proud of.”

Tickets for IEM Sydney will go on sale Friday, November 16, on ticketek.com.au, with prices ranging from $39 AUD to $1,199 AUD ($28 to $860).

FaZe are the reigning IEM Sydney champions as they won the 2018 edition of the event, back in May, after beating Astralis 3-0 in the final with Richard "⁠Xizt⁠" Landström acting as a stand-in.