2023 IEM Cologne marks the final CSGO event in Cologne.
The year 2023 has been quite eventful. Valve has finally announced CS2, marking the approaching end of the era of CSGO. Moreover, this year is unique with only one Major tournament, as Valve plans to release CS2 officially in the summer. Even the Cologne event has been somewhat overshadowed by these developments. Nevertheless, IEM Cologne remains one of the most anticipated events of the second half of the year. So, why does Cologne hold such a special place in CSGO history? Let’s explore that in this article.
A Decade of Prestigious Tournaments
Berlin, Stockholm, Antwerp, Boston, New York… Many cities have hosted top-tier CSGO tournaments. Organizers used to expand their events to as many cities as possible. However, this trend has shifted. BLAST organizes 40% of its offline events annually in Copenhagen. The flagship BLAST Global Finals is set to be held in Abu Dhabi this year. And next year’s EPL events will continue in the island nation of Malta.
In contrast, Cologne has been hosting tournaments consecutively for ten years (excluding 2020 due to the pandemic). Cologne boasts a rich history, with a decade-long tradition of gamers anticipating the emergence of champions in the middle of the year (during the scorching summer). As a result, the Cologne event stands out from others, making it particularly memorable and special.
For instance, if you were asked about the champions of StarLadder S8 or IEM San Jose seasons, would you remember? However, many CSGO players can recall the champions of the Cologne event.
So, why did ESL persistently choose Cologne over other German cities? The answer is simple: the first Cologne event was part of the annual Gamescom gaming exhibition, a customary practice at that time. Even the 2013 CSGO DreamHack Major initially intended to include the CSGO tournament as part of its events but eventually decided to give this event a unique status as a standalone stage for CSGO competitions.
Lanxess Arena: Esports “Cologne Cathedral”
Cologne holds two iconic elements: Kölnisch Wasser, a type of eau de cologne perfume, and the Cologne Cathedral, a landmark renowned across Europe. While the Cologne Cathedral and CSGO seem unrelated, the knockout stage of the Cologne event has been taking place at Lanxess Arena since 2015. The arena is the home of the local ice hockey club and also hosts concerts frequently.
As time went on, ESL began promoting Lanxess Arena as the esports “Cologne Cathedral” concept. Today, every promotional video about the event inevitably features this venue. For CSGO players, Lanxess Arena holds even more meaning; it has become their spiritual cathedral.
Lanxess Arena owes much of its vibrancy to the support of CSGO fans. Undoubtedly, German fans passionately support their local team, BIG. Despite BIG losing to NaVi in the finals in 2018, s1mple’s interaction with the fans after the match showcased their warm reception.
Although German CSGO may not dominate the scene, the atmosphere in Cologne always feels fiery. Tickets for the Cologne event are sold out every year, and the audience brings various props like drums, banners, and flags. Coupled with Germany’s reputation as a beer nation, Cologne CSGO enthusiasts also showcase Germany’s intriguing beer culture.
The atmosphere at Lanxess Arena is so electrifying that it can sometimes even affect the competing players. In the FaZe vs. NaVi BO5 finals, twistzz earned the title of an “external level pass legend” with lightning-fast speed. NaVi’s players were also impacted by the noise on the field.
Additionally, the trophy at the Cologne event exudes an air of luxury. In contrast, the BLAST Paris Major and PGL Majors have their own unique trophy designs.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning that Cologne has hosted three Major events in the past. The last one was in 2016. Although IEM Cologne is not currently classified as a Major, its status remains unmatched.
