We are thrilled to announce that Intel and ESL are gearing up for the largest event on the 2018 esports calendar. The Spodek Arena and the adjacent International Conference Center will once again host two of the most prestigious competitions:

ESL One Katowice powered by Intel® on February 24-25

Intel® Extreme Masters World Championship Katowice on March 2-4.

The first event will feature the world’s top teams in Dota 2, while the second will host the world’s best in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and StarCraft® II.

The world’s largest esports-themed trade show, IEM Expo, will also return to the International Conference Center and take place during both weekends next year, during which attendees will experience the latest in PC gaming and technology. The IEM Expo features 8,000 square meters of exhibition space, featuring three esports stages, the Intel® Experience Zone, and a business center.

ESL One Katowice

ESL One Katowice will be the first large-scale, international Dota 2 event in Poland as well as the country’s first Dota 2 Major:

February 24-25

Top 16 teams from around the world

Qualifiers in six regions: EU, NA, SA, SEA, CN, CIS

US$1,000,000 prize pool

1,500 circuit points

Six days of play with playoffs taking place in the stage in the Spodek Arena

IEM World Championship Katowice

CS:GO

March 2-4

Top 16 teams from around the world

US$500,000 prize pool

Playoffs played on the stage in the Spodek Arena

IEM Katowice will be the seventh event in the Intel® Grand Slam series, a new system that awards a US$1,000,000 prize to the team that has won four out of the last ten US$200,000 events held between DreamHack and ESL. FazeClan, G2 and SK Gaming are all in contention to claim the Intel Grand Slam, with each team already securing one Grand Slam point this season.

StarCraft II

March 2-4

US$250,000 prize pool

Winner gets a direct seed to the WCS Global Finals

Playoffs played on the stage in the Spodek Arena

IEM Expo

The fourth edition of IEM Expo will welcome the industry’s top brands, technology companies, and influencers and exhibit three separate esports stages hosting individual esports competitions in games not featured on the main stage. The event will also turn a spotlight on the Intel Experience Zone, demonstrating the newest tech and gaming technologies, allowing attendees to experience the latest games and hardware with a VR showcase. The IEM Expo will also be open to business trade visitors, providing a business center for esports industry executives and leaders.

Get ready for two weekend of world-class esports action!

Tickets for ESL One Katowice powered by Intel, Intel Extreme Masters Katowice World Championship and the IEM Expo will be available from November on Ticketmaster, granting attendees early entry as well other premium perks. General admission to both events, as well as IEM Expo on both weekends will be free of charge, just like in previous years.

More information about additional esports competitions, attendee experiences and event schedules will be released in the coming weeks. Be sure to follow ESL on Twitter and Facebook, as well as IEM on Twitter and Facebook for all updates.

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