The Intel Extreme Masters, or IEM are making their way back down under as the first confirmed gaming related aspect to SXSW Sydney 2023. This means that over 3 days, there will be some of the best players in the country and from around the world showing off their skills in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.

While South by Southwest (SXSW) Sydney will be running from October 16th to October 22nd, the playoffs for the Intel Extreme Masters will only take place over the final three days, October 20th to October 22nd.

The first few days of the show will have 16 top-tier Counter-Strike teams from around the globe, taking to the Group Stage on October 16-18. During those days, the competing squads will face off in two groups of eight. There are six spots for the big finale, which is what is happening on those final three days.

There is a little bit of info to digest for dates and regions, so here it is direct from the folks at IEM.

The 16 competing squads consist of six Partner Teams, a Local Hero Invite, and four teams qualifying via the ESL World Ranking. The remaining five teams qualify via regional Open and Closed Qualifiers:

• Europe

  • Open Qualifier #1 – August 9-10 – Two teams progress to the Closed Qualifier

  • Open Qualifier #2 – August 11-12 – Two teams progress to the Closed Qualifier

  • Closed Qualifier – August 23-25 – Featuring eight teams of which two teams qualify for IEM Sydney 2023

• North America

  • Open Qualifier #1 – August 9-10 – One team progresses to the Closed Qualifier

  • Open Qualifier #2 – August 11-12 – One team progresses to the Closed Qualifier

  • Closed Qualifier – August 24-25 – Featuring four teams of which one team qualifies for IEM Sydney 2023

• Asia

  • Open Qualifier #1 – August 9-10 – One team progresses to the Closed Qualifier

  • Open Qualifier #2 – August 11-12 – One team progresses to the Closed Qualifier

  • Closed Qualifier – August 24-25 – Featuring four teams of which one team qualifies for IEM Sydney 2023

• Oceania

  • Open Qualifier #1 – August 9-10 – One team progresses to the Closed Qualifier

  • Open Qualifier #2 – August 11-12 – One team progresses to the Closed Qualifier

  • Closed Qualifier – August 22-23 – Featuring four teams of which one team qualifies for IEM Sydney 2023

Tickets will go on sale later this week, they can be bought here once live, with 3-day tickets starting at $159 and going up from there, depending on what level you want to get. Anyone with a Sydney Platinum or Sydney Games ticket, will get entry to the IEM portion as part of that.

If you can’t make it to the show, the event will also be streamed on various social channels, timings will be revealed closer to the show.