Brazil is all set to host the biggest Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO) tournament this year and the qualified teams for the Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Rio Major 2022 have finally been decided.
The IEM Rio Major will be the second Valve-sponsored CSGO tournament of the year and more significantly, it will be the first ever Major hosted in South America. The event will feature 24 of the world's best teams competing for the championship title and a $1,250,000 prize pool.
The #IEM Rio major prize pool is being increased to $1,250,000! 💰
— Intel® Extreme Masters (@IEM) September 26, 2022
This change means any teams who qualify for the major will now earn prize money. pic.twitter.com/kh2VQNB9hr
Valve had originally planned to hold a Major in Brazil way back in 2020. However, the global Covid-19 pandemic made things difficult for the organisation. Fast forward two years and two successful CSGO Majors in between, Brazilian fans have finally got what they have dreamt about for years: A CSGO Major on home soil.
All 24 teams were selected through the Regional Major Rankings (RMR) event which ended on October 9, 2022. RMR qualifying events are held separately for Europe, Americas, and Asia. Europe took 16 slots in total (3 Contenders, 6 Challengers, 7 Legends), while American teams fought over six slots (3 Contenders, 2 Challengers, 1 Legend), and Asian teams competed for two spots (2 Contenders).
All 24 teams have been split into 3 groups: Contenders, Challengers, and Legends. The tier groups are decided through a team's ranking during the RMR qualifiers.
Six streams, four tournaments across the globe, 24 teams locked in for the major - #IEM Rio wouldn't have been possible without our incredible partners 🙏
— Intel® Extreme Masters (@IEM)
Here is the tournament schedule for #ESLChallenger Rotterdam! 🇳🇱
— IMPERIAL QUALIFY TO THE IEM RIO MAJOR 🇧🇷🇧🇷 (@ESLCS) October 10, 2022
Three days full of action packed Counter-Strike, we're ready!! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/nmwZVtHQan
The IEM Rio Major 2022 will kick off with The Challenger Stage on October 31, 2022. In total, 16 Contenders and Challengers will compete to advance to the Legends Stage, where the eight best RMR teams will be waiting.
Next, the Legends Stage will be held from November 5 to 8, and will follow the same Swiss system format as the Challengers Stage, with only the top eight CSGO teams advancing to the Champions Stage.
Finally, The IEM Rio Major playoffs will take place at the Jeunesse Arena from November 10 to 13, with one team crowned champion at the end of the single-elimination bracket.