ESL FaceIt Group and Intel renew multi-year esports partnership on Counter-Strike

ESL FaceIt Group and Intel renewed their long-standing partnership to support premier Counter-Strike esports competition worldwide.

The new multi-year deal will continue Intel ‘s work with ESL for the ESL Pro Tour and IEM events, which have been a cornerstone of the Counter-Strike esports scene. When the renewed contract begins in January 2025, EFG and Intel will have been partners for 24 years, dating back to when ESL was a separate entity. I think the deal, despite Intel’s weakened business, is another sign that the esports winter is over.

Since that time, Intel Extreme Masters events have drawn over two billion hours watched, with LAN events on five continents and over $27 million in prize money distributed. In 2024 alone, IEM broadcasts drew 162 million hours watched and nearly 160,000 attendees. I attended a Counter-Strike esports event last year in Cologne, Germany — and the sound of the 13,000-strong crowd was deafening.

“Intel has been a strong supporter of competitive gaming since the 1990s, and ESL and EFG have been essential partners in supporting the esports community throughout the decades,” said Roger Chandler, general manager of the Enthusiast PC and Workstation Segment at Intel, in a statement. “With this new multi-year agreement with EFG, Intel® is continuing its commitment to grow the industry, provide competitive opportunities, and support players with industry-leading Intel Core products.”

The renewal was announced ahead of the Grand Finals for Intel Extreme Masters Katowice, which brought 24 of the world’s best Counter-Strike 2 teams to the Spodek Arena to face off for a $1,250,000 million prize pool and a win in the race to secure the $1 million Intel Grand Slam V.

In 2024, the partners put on the 100th-ever IEM event with the most-viewed IEM Dallas tournament ever, featuring 22.3 million hours watched and peak viewership of more than 1.8 million globally as the longest-running esports tournament in the world celebrated its centennial appearance. Last year, IEM events in Cologne, Germany; Dallas; and Katowice, Poland were fully sold out with packed arenas in both Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Chengdu, China.

“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 at EFG, in a statement. “Over time, Intel has become the most respected brand in esports because they’ve been with us, building this industry from the ground up. 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.”

“Since joining forces 20 years ago, ESL FaceIt Group and Intel have invested hundreds of millions of dollars into a now billion-dollar industry, creating many of the world’s most prestigious esports tournaments and setting the standard for stadium events,” said Bastian Veiser, director of partner management at EFG, in a statement. “From supporting grassroots tournaments years ago to standing-room-only arenas now, this partnership has played a crucial role in bringing esports into the mainstream.”

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