IEM Cologne 2024 Play-In Stage: All Opening Matches

IEM Cologne 2024's Play-In stage is set to be a little more interesting than usual. Recently, ESL announced that they would be removing the Best of 1 (BO1) format from IEM Cologne 2024, with matches now switching to a BO3 format. This gives teams a little more space to hit the ground running in the opening matches, promising plenty of neck and neck Counter-Strike. 

The opening matches (Upper Bracket Round 1) will take place on August 7, 2024. The first matches begin at 9:30am BST. 

All Match-Ups For IEM Cologne 2024 Upper Bracket Round 1 (Opening Matches)

The following teams will be competing in the opening matches for the IEM Cologne 2024 Play-In stage:

• Complexity vs. ALTERNATE aTTaX
• Eternal Fire vs. Team Falcons
• HEROIC vs. MIBR
• BetBoom Team vs. 9z Team
• FURIA Esports vs. Imperial Esports
• paiN Gaming vs. Team Liquid
• FlyQuest vs. BIG
• SAW vs. The MongolZ

These match-ups will take place during the Upper Bracket Round 1, the winner of each will advance to the Upper Bracket Round 2. The losing team will be given another shot at qualifying in the Lower Brackets. Winners of the Upper Bracket Round 2 and the Lower Bracket Round 2 will advance to the Group Stage Quarterfinals. 

IEM Cologne 2024 Play-In Stage Format

The Play-In stage for IEM Cologne 2024 will utilize the following format:

Play-In:

• Double-Elimination bracket
• All matches BO3
• The top eight teams advance to the Group Stage

IEM Cologne 2024 is set to take place from August 7 - August 18, 2024 at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany.