Despite the city's interest in continuing the partnership, ESL has decided not to include Rio de Janeiro in the tournament schedule for the next season. It is also unlikely that another Brazilian city will host a CS2 tournament from the organizer in 2025.
The information was confirmed by Dust2 Brasil, and although discussions about a possible continuation of the partnership in 2026 have already begun, there are no plans to return the tournament to the country in 2025.
Background
ESL has held several major tournaments in Brazil, starting with the ESL Pro League finals in São Paulo in 2016. The tournaments continued in 2018 with ESL One Belo Horizonte and the subsequent three IEM Rio events, including the Major in 2022 and regular events in 2023 and 2024.
Nevertheless, Brazil will be without IEM Rio next year. This decision came as a surprise to many, given the success of past tournaments in the region. The locations for all ESL 2025 tournaments are expected to be announced soon.
Details on ESL Tournaments in 2025
The organizer has scheduled eight major championships for the next season:
- ESL #1: January 29 – February 9
- ESL #2: February 25 – March 16
- ESL #3: April 21 – 27
- ESL #4: May 19 – 25
- ESL #5: July 23 – August 3
- ESL #6: August 20 – 26
- ESL #7: September 23 – October 12
- ESL #8: November 3 – 9
The next international CS2 tournament to be held in Brazil will be PGL on FiRe in São Paulo in October 2026.
Future of Tournaments in Brazil
Despite the absence of IEM Rio in 2025, there is a chance that ESL will return to Rio in 2026. During the tournament, which was won by Natus Vincere , ESL held meetings with local authorities and potential partners, suggesting the continuation of tournaments in the region in the future.
ESL has not yet commented on the cancellation of IEM Rio 2025, but the tournament may return to the calendar in a few years.
