The ESL Grand Slam is back in action as the legendary race restarts at Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Dallas 2025, setting the stage for what promises to be a monumental chapter in Counter-Strike esports. Taking place from May 19–25, 2025, at DreamHack Dallas, this event marks the first step in the sixth iteration of the prestigious Grand Slam challenge. Organized by the ESL FACEIT Group, the ESL Grand Slam rewards the most consistent team across global Counter-Strike tournaments with $1 million and the coveted title of Grand Slam champion.
At the center of this race are elite squads like Team Vitality, FaZe Clan, and NAVI—teams who have either won the ESL Grand Slam before or are looking to etch their names in history. With a $300,000 prize pool on the line and the pressure to start strong, IEM Dallas launches what will be a season of epic rivalry, unpredictable matchups, and unforgettable esports moments. Here’s everything you need to know about the reinvigorated Grand Slam circuit and how it shapes this year’s Counter-Strike landscape.
IEM Dallas 2025 ignites the ESL Grand Slam
The highly anticipated IEM Dallas 2025 marks the official restart of the ESL Grand Slam race. Hosted during DreamHack Dallas, the event not only offers a fierce $300,000 prize pool but also acts as the first official stop in the new Grand Slam season. Sixteen top-tier teams will descend on Texas, including three former Grand Slam winners—Team Liquid, FaZe Clan, and NAVI—alongside reigning champions Team Vitality, who secured their latest title at IEM Melbourne just weeks earlier.
The ESL Grand Slam challenge is simple in concept but difficult in execution: win three EPT Masters-level events and one EPT Championship within a stretch of ten consecutive ESL Pro Tour (EPT) competitions. Only four teams in history have managed this feat, and each edition resets the playing field, ensuring a thrilling and unpredictable race for fans and players alike.
How the ESL FACEIT Group shapes the competition
The ESL FACEIT Group’s revamp of the Grand Slam format further raises the stakes for teams. As the key organizer behind EPT events, including IEM Cologne, ESL Pro League, and IEM Chengdu, ESL FACEIT Group ensures a standardized yet highly competitive environment for teams chasing the Grand Slam. These events form the structure that determines which team dominates the current era of Counter-Strike.
With the Grand Slam prize pool of $1 million—paid in both cash and solid gold bars—prestige and pressure go hand in hand. The initiative rewards both consistency and peak performance, emphasizing that dominance in Counter-Strike extends beyond one-off event wins. Top-tier organizations must now surgically plan their tournament runs, expertly manage roster rotations, and remain strategically sharp across multiple patches and metas.
Team Vitality aims for back-to-back dominance
Fresh off their electrifying victory at IEM Melbourne, Team Vitality enters IEM Dallas 2025 with serious momentum. Their win at the EPT Masters event in Australia not only granted them a trophy and confidence boost, but also put them one step ahead in the current ESL Grand Slam race. Should they secure another EPT Masters victory at Dallas, they will be halfway to achieving their second Grand Slam title.
Vitality isn’t just playing for glory—they’re crafting a legacy. Having already established dominance in 2024 and early 2025, their consecutive victories across premier tournaments demonstrate their mastery of the new Counter-Strike meta. Combined with a stable roster and visionary leadership, they stand as early favorites to complete the Grand Slam once more.
What’s next after IEM Dallas?
Following IEM Dallas 2025, teams will set their sights on IEM Cologne, ESL Pro League Seasons 22 and 23, and IEM Chengdu—upcoming events that round out the ESL Pro Tour’s competitive calendar. These tournaments will continue the ESL Grand Slam race, offering further chances to collect EPT Masters wins and inch closer to that elusive Championship title.
Each event carries both weight and risk. A weaker-than-expected showing means losing one of the ten chances needed to qualify for the Grand Slam win. As a result, organizations must now balance player fatigue, evolving patch updates, and global travel schedules while keeping their sights glued to one of Counter-Strike’s most coveted achievements.
Revival of historic Counter-Strike rivalries
With three previous winners of the ESL Grand Slam—FaZe Clan, NAVI, and Team Liquid—participating at IEM Dallas 2025, old rivalries are poised to reignite. These organizations not only bring legacy and fan-favorite players, but also possess the tactical depth and infrastructure recognized globally. Having won previous iterations under pressure, their strategies this season could prove decisive in dethroning the likes of Team Vitality.
Expect fireworks both in and out of the server, as these seasoned veterans look to remind the world why they were once kings of Counter-Strike. If any of these teams can add a fresh IEM Dallas win to their record, a whole new dynamic will emerge in the Grand Slam standings.
Why the ESL Grand Slam still matters in 2025
In an esports landscape crowded with scattered formats and shifting expectations, the ESL Grand Slam continues to be a benchmark of greatness. Unlike other tournaments that reward peak performance at one event, the Grand Slam measures total excellence—sustained domination, strategic vision, and meta adaptation across nearly a full season of elite Counter-Strike.
For fans, it’s a journey worth following. From mid-season roster shuffles to surprise upsets and dominant streaks, the path to winning the ESL Grand Slam at events like IEM Dallas 2025 draws continuous attention from hardcore Counter-Strike devotees and casual esports viewers alike. With stakes high and history on the line, the race promises drama, unpredictability, and elite performances until the final map.
Frequently asked questions about ESL Grand Slam (FAQ)
What is the ESL Grand Slam in Counter-Strike?
The ESL Grand Slam is a prestigious achievement in Counter-Strike esports where a team must win three EPT Masters events and one EPT Championship within a span of ten consecutive ESL Pro Tour events to claim the Grand Slam title and $1 million in prize money.
What events count toward the ESL Grand Slam?
The ESL Grand Slam includes high-profile Counter-Strike events like IEM Dallas, IEM Cologne, ESL Pro League, and other ESL FACEIT Group-organized tournaments labeled as EPT Masters or EPT Championships.
Which teams have previously won the ESL Grand Slam?
Past winners of the ESL Grand Slam include Astralis, Team Liquid, NAVI, FaZe Clan, and most recently, Team Vitality.
How does a team qualify for the Grand Slam prize?
A team must win a combination of three EPT Masters events and one EPT Championship within ten consecutive qualifying tournaments to receive the $1 million Grand Slam prize.
When is the next ESL Grand Slam event after IEM Dallas 2025?
The next opportunity to earn Grand Slam points following IEM Dallas 2025 will likely be IEM Cologne, followed by ESL Pro League Season 22.
Sources to this article
ESL FACEIT Group, 2025. ESL Grand Slam Overview. [online] Available at: https://pro.eslgaming.com/csgo/esl-grand-slam/
ESL, 2025. IEM Dallas 2025 Tournament Info & Schedule. [online] Available at: https://pro.eslgaming.com/iem/dallas/
HLTV.org, 2025. Vitality secures win at IEM Melbourne. [online] Available at: https://www.hltv.org/
DreamHack, 2025. DreamHack Dallas 2025 Events Overview. [online] Available at: https://dreamhack.com/dallas/
Written by DonkAI for csdonkey.com – your source for all things Counter-Strike.
