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Category: CS-GO

How to Watch IEM Katowice 2023 CS:GO – teams, format, schedule, streams, predictions

Posted on by Gabriel Sciberras

Accordingly, with the BLAST Premier kicking off last week for CS:GO, the ESL Pro Tour is starting soon. Indeed, it all kicks off in the coming week with the IEM Katowice 2023 CS:GO event. Read on to learn How to Watch this event below!

Event Background

Accordingly. we’ll reiterate, the ESL Pro Tour, or Intel Extreme Masters, is ESL’s franchise of tournaments for CS:GO. Starting off 2023, ESL is taking the community to a legendary venue with a tonne of legacy – Katowice. Moreover, the event will take place from 1st February to 12th February.

IEMKatowice
Credits: CS:GO

Indeed, the Spodek Arena will host the top 24 teams in the world, as they compete for the likes of $1,000,000 prize as listed below:

Directly Qualified Teams

  • FaZe Clan
  • Team Vitality
  • Outsiders
  • Heroic
  • Team Liquid
  • Natus Vincere
  • G2 Esports
  • MOUZ

Play-In Teams

  • Ninjas in Pyjamas
  • Team Spirit
  • Cloud9
  • Complexity Gaming
  • FURIA Esports
  • MIBR
  • IHC Esports
  • Grayhound Gaming
  • OG
  • ENCE
  • BIG
  • Sprout
  • paiN Gaming
  • Evil Geniuses
  • Fnatic
  • Permitta Esports

So, what’s up for grabs apart from the prize pool? Well, the winner will earn a direct seed for IEM Cologne 2023.

In addition, as traditional with the ESL Pro Tour, this IEM event is part of the Intel Grand Slam Season 4 continuing from last season.

ESL Pro League Season 14
Credits: Valve

Specifically, the first team to win four S-Tier events organized by ESL in a window of 10 events will earn an additional $1,000,000 of prize pool. Here are how the teams currently stack for this prize:

  • FaZe Clan – 3 wins
  • Cloud9 – 1 win
  • Team Vitality – 1 win
  • Outsiders – 1 win

Read on to learn more about the event below!

Format

Overall, the format involves multiple stages of competition.

Firstly, we have the Play-In stage, which takes place from 1st to 3rd February. Here, teams will compete online in a double elimination bracket to try and make it to the offline Group Stage. Moreover, the opening matches are BO1 and all the matches are BO3 – only the top 8 will progress to the Group Stage.

Here are the opening matches as seeded randomly for the Play-In:

Play-In Upper Bracket Round 1

  • FURIA Esports vs Permitta Esports
  • BIG vs Complexity
  • Fnatic vs Evil Geniuses
  • Sprout vs OG
  • Team Spirit vs Grayhound
  • MIBR vs Ninjas in Pyjamas
  • ENCE vs paiN Gaming
  • Cloud9 vs IHC Esports
ESL Pro League Season 14
Members of the team Astralis from Denmark(C-L) and FaZe (C-R) compete during the final of the Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Expo at the International Congress Centre in Katowice, Poland, on March 5, 2017. – The Expo is part of the world championship in computer games Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) during which the best players compete in two games: Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS: GO) and StarCraft II. (Photo by Andrzej Grygiel / PAP / AFP) / Poland OUT / EASTNEWS OUT

Following the Play-In, the Group Stage will take place from 4th to 7th February. In this stage, two double elimination format (GSL) groups take place. Each group has eight teams and they’ll play through BO3 matches to make it to the Playoffs.

Here’s how the 8 directly qualified teams currently stand:

Group Stage:

  • A: Team Liquid, Natus Vincere, G2 Esports, FaZe Clan
  • B: Heroic, MOUZ, Team Vitality, Outsiders

Moving on to the Playoffs, here’s how performances at the Group Stage will determine how teams progress:

  • Winners – seeded to Semifinals
  • Runners-up – seeded to the Quarterfinals as High Seeds
  • 3rd place teams – seeded to the Quarterfinals as Low Seeds

Once done, the final teams will compete through the Playoffs, taking place from 10th to 12th February. At this final stage, teams will compete through a single elimination bracket. Here, the quarterfinals and semifinals are BO3, the Grand Final is BO5.

Schedule for the IEM Katowice 2023 CS:GO

Credits: IEM Twitter

With regards to the schedule, we recommend tuning into the Intel Extreme Masters Twitter page here for an updated timetable.

Watch the IEM Katowice 2023 on esportsguide

You can also watch the event live stream via our very own website. Providing an extensive list of the biggest esports together with streams for each esports match live today or upcoming matches.

IEM Katowice 2023

Predictions

Accordingly, the last international competition for CS;GO was the BLAST Premier World Final 2022 – here’s how the competition stacked up back then:

  • #1 – G2 Esports
  • #2 – Team Liquid
  • #3-4 – FaZe Clan, OG

Indeed, can’t wait to see who could surprise in Katowice!

For more esports news, visit: https://www.esportsguide.com/news

BLAST Spring Groups 2023 – All Three Groups Concluding

Posted on by Gabriel Sciberras

Kicking off last week, BLAST Premier started the season with BLAST Spring Groups 2023. Accordingly, the 12 teams have already started fighting through the group stage. Read on to learn more about how the competition currently stands heading into the next week!

BLAST Spring Groups 2023 – Still Ongoing

Credits: BLAST Premier Twitter

For those unaware, the 12 teams were randomly drawn into three double elimination (GSL) format groups. Accordingly, within each group, teams have been competing through the GSL brackets to try and secure the seed to the Spring Final for the winner of each group.

Indeed, the three teams in each group who fail to win the Spring Final seed in the Group Stage will be seeded into the Play-In Stage. Here’s how the brackets currently look for each group:

Group A

  • Lower Bracket Final – EG vs Heroic
  • Grand Final – Vitality vs TBD

Group B

  • Lower Bracket Final – OG vs Team Liquid
  • Grand Final – FaZe vs TBD
Credits: BLAST Premier Twitter

Group C

  • Lower Bracket Semifinal – ONGOING (BIG vs NiP)
  • Lower Bracket Final – NaVi vs TBD
  • Grand Final – G2 Esports vs TBD

It’s no surprise that the remaining teams in the Group Stage include favourites such as FaZe, Vitality, G2 Esports and Na’Vi – let’s see who makes it out!

For more esports news, visit; https://www.esportsguide.com/news

How to Watch BLAST Premier Spring Groups 2023 – teams, format, schedule, streams, predictions

Posted on by Gabriel Sciberras

With the 2023 competitive season for CS:GO kicking off, BLAST is rekindling the BLAST Premier franchise of events. Accordingly, inviting the partner teams to kick the season off, BLAST Premier Spring Groups kicks off next week. Read on as we lean how to watch this anticipated event in this featured article!

Event Background

Credits: BLAST Premier Twitter

For those unaware, BLAST Premier is a premier franchise of tournaments organized by BLAST within one circuit. Offering a mixture of BLAST Partner teams and open events, these events are at the top of CS:GO.

With 2022 concluding with the BLAST World Final, the 2023 season kicks off with the Spring Groups event.

Taking place offline in Copenhagen, $177,498 of prize is on the line for the 12 competing partner teams (invited). Running between 19th January and 29th January, the following are your competing teams:

  • Astralis
  • BIG
  • Complexity Gaming
  • Evil Geniuses
  • FaZe Clan
  • G2 Esports
  • Heroic
  • Natus Vincere
  • Ninjas in Pyjamas
  • OG
  • Team Liquid
  • Team Vitality

The Spring Groups event is only the first step for these competing teams. Apart from a tonne of coveted BLAST Premier points being on the line, teams will be seeded as follows:

  • 1-6th – Seeded to Spring Final
  • 7-12th – Seeded to Spring Showdown

Read on as we learn more about the format.

Format

Credits: BLAST

With regards to format, there are two stages of competition.

Kicking off, we have the Group Stage, as you’d expect. Here, the competition have been split into three double-elimination (GSL) format groups as follows:

  • A – Heroic, Evil Geniuses, Vitality, Astralis
  • B – FaZe Clan, Complexity, Team Liquid, OG
  • C – G2 Esports, BIG, Natus Vincere, Ninjas in Pyjamas

Within each group, following the double elimination format, where each match will be BO3, seeds from each group will be as follows:

  • Winner – advance to the Spring Final
  • Remaining teams – advance to the seeded Play-In Stage

Following this group stage, we have the Play-In Stage. Accordingly, teams will be randomly seeded once again with three single-elimination gauntlets, with BO3 matches. From these brackets, the winner of each one will advance to the Spring Final.

Meanwhile, the remaining teams advance will seed into the EU or AM Spring Showdowns.

Schedule for the BLAST Premier Spring Groups 2023

BLAST e
Credits: BLAST

When it comes to the schedule, feel free to take a look at the times and dates for the opening matches for the Group Stage in CET region:

January 19th – Group A

  • Heroic vs Evil Geniuses (15:00)
  • Vitality vs Astralis (18:30)

January 20th – Group B

  • FaZe vs Complexity (12:00)
  • Team Liquid vs OG (15:00)

January 20th – Group C

  • G2 Esports vs BIG (18:30)

January 21st – Group C

  • Natus Vincere vs NiP (12:00)

We highly recommend visiting the BLAST Premier Twitter page here to stay up to date for the schedule in your timezone.

Watch the BLAST Premier Spring Groups 2023 on esportsguide

ESL Pro League Season 14
Credits: Valve

You can also watch the event live stream via our very own website. Providing an extensive list of the biggest esports together with streams for each esports match live today or upcoming matches.

BLAST Premier Spring Groups 2023

Predictions

Overall, the best way to predict is to recount when these teams competed last – the BLAST Premier World Final 2022. Here’s how the competition stacked up back then:

  • #1 – G2 Esports
  • #2 – Team Liquid
  • #3-4 – FaZe Clan, OG

However, since December, a few roster changes have taken place – let’s see if that’s shaken up things at all.

For more esports news, visit: https://www.esportsguide.com/news

GODSENT CS:GO Roster 2023 – Returning to the Scene

Posted on by Gabriel Sciberras

Last year, the GODSENT CS:GO roster packed things up and released their entire roster. Accordingly, after a lack of results, the Swedish esports organization took some time to rethink their approach. However, the organization is back with a GODSENT CS:GO roster 2023 – read on to learn more!

GODSENT CS:GO – Former NiP Players

Credits: GODSENT Twitter

To do so, they’ve stumbled on quite the team. Indeed, they’ve gone ahead and signed a number of players. All of whom are either former Ninjas in Pyjamas or Young Ninjas competitors.

So, here’s the active roster they just revealed a couple days ago:

  • Erik “ztr” Gustafsson – Loan
  • William “draken” Sundin
  • Nicolas “Plopski” Gonzalez Zamora
  • Joel “joel” Holmlund
  • Alfred “RuStY” Karlsson
  • Maikil “Golden” Selim – Coach

Moving forward, this team will need to start earning spots in better tournaments after almost backing out of the scene. However, they will be at the Elisa Invitational Winter 2023 which kicks off on January 16th.

ESL Pro League Season 14
Credits: Valve

Otherwise, we’re not sure whether this new team will perform better than previous rosters, can they improve on their past results?

  • 9-10th @ ESL Challenger League Season 41: North America
  • 3-4th @ BLAST Premier: Spring American Showdown 2022
  • 17-20th @ ESL Pro League Season 15
  • 17-20th @ IEM XVI – Katowice

For more esports news, visit: https://www.esportsguide.com/news

Ninjas in Pyjamas CS:GO 2023 – Signing Former Na’Vi Youngster

Posted on by Gabriel Sciberras

Over the past few years, victories have been absent for the Ninjas in Pyjamas in CS:GO. Bearing this in mind, a recent opportunity to sign a proven youngster did arise, and it seems the organization has taken the chance. Read on as we discuss the most recent addition to Ninjas in Pyjamas CS:GO 2023 below!

Ninjas in Pyjamas CS:GO – A New AWPer

Credits: NIP CS:GO Twitter

Apart from struggling to be consistent, a recurrent problem has been a lack of a designated AWP player. This new signing also solves this problem.

For those unaware, Natus Vincere was also struggling with roster problems, having to sign an academy player Danyyl “headtr1ck” Valitov. Offering some great performances, this is the same player who NiP have just signed after becoming available – here’s the roster below:

  • Fredrik “REZ” Sterner
  • Hampus “hampus” Poser
  • Ludvig “Brollan” Brolin
  • Aleksi “Aleksib” Virolainen
  • Danyyl “headtr1ck” Valitov – NEW
  • Coach – Daniel “djL” Narancic
ESL Pro League Season 14
Credits: Valve

We’re curious to see how this team performs at the upcoming BLAST Premier Spring Groups 2023 event on January 19th. Can they improve their struggling record?

  • 9th @ BLAST Premier World Leaderboard
  • 3-4th @ BLAST Premier Fall Finals 2022
  • 15-16th @ IEM Rio Major 2022
  • 2nd @ IEM Road to Rio European RMR A
  • 17-20th @ ESL Pro League Season 16
  • 4-6th @ BLAST Premier Fall Groups 2022

For more esports news, visit: https://www.esportsguide.com/news

BLAST Paris Major Qualifiers 2023 – Heading to Multiple Countries

Posted on by Gabriel Sciberras

Accordingly, the CS:GO esports community can’t wait for the upcoming BLAST Paris Major. Ahead of the upcoming event, there are some exciting qualifiers which will be taking place offline in many countries. Read on as we preview recently announced details for BLAST Paris Major Qualifiers!

BLAST Paris Major Qualifiers – Multiple Regions

Credits: BLAST Twitter

So, ahead of the BLAST Paris Major, there will be multiple RMR events – Regional Major Rankings, in the following regions and the respective countries;

  • European RMR – Copenhagen (Denmark)
  • Americas RMR – Monterrey (Mexico)
  • Asia RMR – Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia)

Indeed, for Americas and Asia, both of these countries will feature live CS:GO events for the first time ever.

As of right now, there’s no official dates for these qualifier events, although it’s likely they will take place sometime in April.

Credits: BLAST.tv Twitter

Naturally, it’s always great to see CS:GO taking a global approach to the esport.

Do note that this year, the qualifying process for Majors will be different. Apart from an Open Qualifier, an additional closed qualifier will decide the teams apart from regional standings.

Overall, as one of the most anticipated events of the year, we’ll be sure to keep you up to date.

For more esports news, visit: https://www.esportsguide.com/news

BLAST Spring Groups 2023 – World Champions Facing Off

Posted on by Gabriel Sciberras

With January slowly passing, many esports are returning with exciting events. Accordingly, CS:GO esports is kicking off BLAST Premier with an anticipated event. Indeed, read on as we preview the recently announced details for BLAST Spring Groups 2023 below!

BLAST Spring Groups 2023 – Coming on 19th January

Credits: BLAST Premier Twitter

Taking place between 19th to 29th January, this is the first of the BLAST Premier events for 2023. For those unaware, it’s a self explanatory franchise of events, with premier CS:GO events hosted by BLAST.

Within this system, BLAST has a partner programme where Partner Teams attend their regular season events. Accordingly, with almost $200,000 on the line, all 12 partner teams are headed to Copenhagen, Denmark to play for all the marbles.

Apart from the prize, a tonne of BLAST Premier points are up for grabs. In addition, the top 6 head to the Spring Finals, and the bottom six head to the Spring Showdown.

Anyways, here are the groups ahead of this exciting event:

Group A:

  • Heroic
  • Evil Geniuses
  • Vitality
  • Astralis
ESL Pro League Season 14
Credits: Valve

Group B:

  • FaZe Clan
  • Complexity
  • Team Liquid
  • OG

Group C:

  • G2 Esports
  • BIG
  • Natus Vincere
  • Ninjas in Pyjamas

Currently, all eyes are on Group B as Natus Vincere and G2 Esports look to face each other – world champions from last year.

For more esports news, visit: https://www.esportsguide.com/news

Evil Geniuses CS:GO Roster – Releasing CeRq For 2023

Posted on by Gabriel Sciberras

For all of their success in CS:GO, Evil Geniuses suffered a poor year in 2022. Indeed, flopping at every international stage, change heading into 2023 seemed likely. Accordingly, the Evil Geniuses CS:GO roster has decided to make a change – read on to learn more!

Evil Geniuses CS:GO Roster – After 4 Years

Credits: EG CS:GO Twitter

Indeed, as we’ll reiterate, Evil Geniuses are on a serious drought since their last victory. Specifically, their last victory was in the form of the online ESL One Cologne – North America event in August of 2022.

Since then, the frequent roster changes and lack of consistency has lead to an overall disappointing performance. Signed all the way back in 2019, being a part of a few victories, it seems that Tsvetelin “CeRq” Dimitrov will be released by the organization.

That leaves the following active roster:

  • Vincent “Brehze” Cayonte
  • Timothy “autimatic” Ta
  • Jadan “HexT” Postma
  • Sanjar “neaLaN” Ishakov
  • Daniel “Vorborg” Vorborg – Coach
ESL Pro League Season 14
Credits: ESL

For those unaware, EG do have an academy roster and they could potentially source talent from here – but will it be enough to overcome their poor record:

  • 20-21st @ BLAST Premier World Leaderboard 2022
  • 20-22nd @ IEM Rio Major 2022
  • 5-8th @ BLAST Premier Fall American Showdown
  • 13-16th @ ESL Pro League Season 16
  • 10-12th @ BLAST Premier Fall Groups 2022

For more esports news, visit: https://www.esportsguide.com/news

Natus Vincere CS:GO Roster 2023 – Parting Ways with sdy

Posted on by Gabriel Sciberras

If 2021 was Na’Vi’s year, 2022 belonged to FaZe Clan. Accordingly, the Natus Vincere CS:GO roster has been on a dry spell recently. Bearing this in mind, they’ve decided to make a needed move ahead of the 2023 season. Read on to learn more!

Natus Vincere CS:GO Roster 2023 – Bringing in npl

Credits: NAVI Twitter

Specifically, ever since the likes of Kirill “Boombl4″ Mikhaylov has had to move to the bench for personal reasons, this roster has been a little unsure.

Playing with stand-in Viktor “sdy” Orudzhev, the team played well but not up to their usual standard.

Indeed, a long-term replacement is finally here. Moreover, the likes of Andrii “npl” Kukharskyi has found his place on the active roster. Here’s the full roster heading into this season:

  • Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev
  • Denis “electroNic” Sharipov
  • Ilya “Perfecto” Zalutskiy
  • Valerii “b1t” Vakhovskyi
  • Andrii “npl” Kukharskyi – NEW
  • Andrii “B1ad3″ Horodenskyi – Coach
Credits: NAVI Twitter

With their last win at the BLAST Premier Spring Finals 2022, this team is hoping to return to form for the coming season, improving over their recent record:

  • 5-6th @ BLAST Premier World Final 2022
  • 2nd @ BLAST Premier World Leaderboard 2022
  • 5-6th @ BLAST Premier Fall Finals 2022
  • 5-8th @ IEM Rio Major 2022

For more esports news, visit: https://www.esportsguide.com/news

Esports Tier List 2022 Q4 – A Conclusive Look at the Year

Posted on by Gabriel Sciberras

As is tradition at esportsguide, we love working on an Esports Tier List every now and then. Indeed, following the conclusion of some of the largest esports events ever, now is the best time ever. Accordingly, feel free to read on for an updated list for Esports Tier List 2022 Q4!

Indeed, as always, we’ll fill you in on the same criteria we’ve always used to dictate our tier lists:

  • Event Proportions – Size of prize pools, number of participants, third and first party organizers, environment and arena capacities
  • Event frequency – is the year bursting with competition or solely reliant on infrequent first-party organizers
  • Competitiveness – the level of competition in an esports scene is related to its livelihood
  • State of the community – health of the lower tier sectors and general condition of the esport as a dynamic entity
Credits: Garena

Accordingly, with that taken care of, always remember that these lists are subject to our opinion too. Otherwise, we’ll be listing the top viewership from the time period, although it’s not the only factor considered. We’re not looking at growth – just where they stand.

Tier 1 – Welcoming VALORANT and Free Fire – Esports Tier List 2022

  • LoL – 2022 World Championship – Peak Viewers 5,147,701
  • CS:GO – PGL Major Antwerp 2022 – Peak Viewers 2,113,610
  • Dota 2 – The International 2022 – Peak Viewers 1,751,086
  • VALORANT – VALORANT Champions 2022 – Peak Viewers 1,505,804
  • Free Fire – Free Fire World Series 2022 Sentosa – Peak Viewers 1,477,545
Heroic BLAST
Credits: BLAST

So, let’s talk about the changes involved here. Firstly, since our last Esports Tier List, we’ve decided to promote VALORANT to Tier 1 after an incredible second season, breaking the million peak viewer mark.

In addition, we’ve decided to demote PUBG Mobile from Tier 1 to Tier 2 due to a quieter year, failing to reach the same level of viewership. In contrast, Free Fire managed to grow in the past year and have earned a spot as the top Mobile Esport in the world.

Otherwise, LoL and CS:GO retain their spots as the two very best esports in the world, each having incredible years. Although still worthy of Tier 1, Dota had a rough year and will look to improve next year.

Tier 2 – Multiple Promotions and Demotions

  • PUBG Mobile – 31st Southeast Asian Games PUBG Mobile – Peak Viewers 903,011
  • AoG – Arena of Glory Winter 2022 – Peak Viewers 644,383
  • Rocket League – RLCS 21-22 World Championship – Peak Viewers 368,721
  • Overwatch League – OWL 2022 Playoffs – Peak Viewers 397,868
  • CoD – CDL 2022 Playoffs – Peak Viewers 275,244
Screenshot e
Credits: Psyonix

While Tier 1 has remained somewhat the same, Tier 2 has seen multiple changes since last year.

Perhaps the most impressive climber is the likes of Rocket League – after an impressive year with constant improvement in viewership, the esport is kicking up very well. They’re climb to Tier 2 from Tier 3 is joined by AoG which has remained consistent over the past two years.

Also, Overwatch has made the jump thanks to a much needed improvement of viewership from last year. In fact, it was doubled this year thanks to the excitement behind Overwatch 2.

As we explained prior, for now we’ve had to demote PUBG Mobile to Tier 2 as they’ve failed to be consistent this past year. Let’s see if things improve next year.

Tier 3 – Halo Infinite Making a Mark

  • Halo World Championship 2022 – Peak Viewers 143,585
  • FIFA – FIFA eWorld Cup 2022 – Peak Viewers 149,465
  • PUBG – PUBG Nations Cup – Peak Viewers 239,112
  • Rainbow Six Siege – Six Invitational 2022 – Peak Viewers 262,714
Overwatch 2
Credits: Blizzard

Here in Tier 3, the likes of Halo and FIFA are newcomers. With Halo restarting esports operations this year, it joins an improving FIFA scene which returned with offline events this year.

Meanwhile, we’ve decided to demote PUBG and Rainbow Six Siege as they both seem to be lacking growth. Bearing this in mind, both esports are making big changes for 2023 in search of success.

Tier 4 – Wild Rift Experiment Failing?

Screenshot e
Credits: Blizzard
  • StarCraft II – IEM Katowice 2022 – Peak Viewers 50,635
  • Fortnite – Fortnite Champions Series 2022 Invitational – Peak Viewers 381,915
  • Hearthstone – Hearthstone World Championship – Peak Viewers 21,786
  • Wild Rift – Icons Global Championship 2022 – Peak Viewers – 54,261

Meanwhile, here in Tier 4 we have the likes of StarCraft II, Fortnite and Wild Rift all in need of some improvement.

In conclusion, we can confidently say that Hearthstone is in a dire spot.

For more esports news, visit: https://www.esportsguide.com/news