With the IEM Cologne 2024 being just around the corner, ESL unveiled the Play-In and the Playoffs bracket. The tournament will include 24 of the world's best CS2 teams as they will travel to Cologne, Germany, for a chance to win the prestigious competition.
One of the most exciting changes made to the format heading to IEM Cologne is the number of maps played in each match. Starting with this year's edition, the Play-In games will follow a BO3 format. Needless to say, the change has been welcomed with open arms by the fans.
The Play-In stage is a double-elimination bracket where the defeated teams will have a second chance in the Lower Bracket. The Upper Bracket winners will join the group stage alongside the four Lower Bracket winners.
At the same time, the group stage brackets have also been unveiled. Natus Vincere, Astralis, G2 Esports, and Team Spirit will share Group A, while Group B will include MOUZ, Virtus.pro, FaZe Clan, and Team Vitality. Curiously enough, seven of the eight group-stage teams featured in the Esports World Cup.
If you're looking forward to following the action, you will have to wait until the start of the competition. The IEM Cologne 2024 will start on August 7 and conclude on August 18.