What can we expect to witness at IEM Dallas 2025 this year?
There's plenty of huge moments we're keeping an eye for at IEM Dallas 2025. It's the last event before we hit the BLAST Austin Major, so it's the final chance for us to get a look at each squad before the big dance.
Here's the most important storylines we can expect to see resolved at IEM Dallas 2025.
The return of s1mple: Can he save FaZe?
IEM Dallas sees Oleksandr "s1mple" Kostyljev return to active competition after a five month hiatus following a failed attempt to qualify for the Shanghai Major in 2024.
We all know the Ukrainian superstar's potential is sky-high, but he has his work cut out for him with FaZe Clan, who have slumped heavily in 2025. Captain Finn "Karrigan" Andersen didn't mince words in a recent FaZe vlog, with the IGL frustrated and confused at the team's performance and where exactly they were going wrong.
It's always a huge risk to change a lineup a month out from the Major but given where FaZe was placed, you can't fault them for making the move. Dallas serves as the proving ground for s1mple and FaZe, and their form there will be telling as to how far they'll make it in Austin.
Vitality set up to extend streak, begin new Grand Slam run
The indomitable Vitality outfit goes from strength to strength, utterly dominating professional CS2 in 2025. Five trophies and a 25-match win streak, their recent win at BLAST Spring was as impressive as their Grand Slam victory in Melbourne, with the team fresh off a flight from Australia without any preparation.
Mathieu "ZywOo" Herbaut may have already locked up the player of the year title, Robin "ropz" Kool's addition is arguably the greatest roster move of the modern era — there's little more for Vitality to accomplish apart from a win at the Austin Major.
But many pundits are already looking beyond the major. What about two Grand Slams in one year? The idea is preposterous — but if anyone can do it, it's this version of Vitality.
Their run for a second Grand Slam begins in Dallas; if they wanted to make the dream happen, they'd have to win there first, then IEM Cologne, ESL Pro League Season 22, and finally IEM Chengdu.
Reckon they'd have earned an "era" then? Yeah.
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Will Aurora's time off help in Dallas?
Aurora's 2025 has been a series of consistent group stage runs with upsets against the best in the world — pockmarked by crashing out in almost every playoff stage.
After their grand final loss to Spirit at BLAST Bounty Spring, Aurora (previously Eternal Fire) lost out at almost every playoff first round. Their qualification for six-straight playoffs is nothing to poke a stick at, but between concerns over stage fright and player health after such a packed start to the season, some are concerned Aurora has hit its peak.
The month-long break through April and May will have recharged Aurora's batteries, which leaves them well-timed for a run in the U.S. Despite a little rust at PGL Astana, many are expecting the Turkish squad to show their best in Dallas and Austin.
Where their ceiling lies at these events is entirely up to them.
G2 holding on for dear life as Dallas approaches
It's a hard knock life being a G2 fan at the best of times, but 2025 has been dour.
Following the departure of Nikola "NiKo" Kovač to Falcons, the team began its rebuild around Ilya "m0NESY" Osipov — but rumors of his defection with NiKo were rife and proved to be true in April. Mario "malbsMd" Samayoa was made responsible for leading the new project but the 22-year-old was undergoing a form slump of his own.
Coupled with visa issues preventing Nemanja "huNter-" Kovač from attending PGL Astana and compounded with the temporary loan of Aleksander "hades" Miśkiewicz, you'd think G2 was in free fall.
However, through all the turmoil, G2 continues to make playoff runs at big events (PGL Astana excluded...). They haven't looked comfortable for months but the talent for deep runs is there — it's just got to click!
IEM Dallas an audition for American fans ahead of Austin Major
Contrary to popular belief, the North American crowd is always a great watch. We don't get to see it often these days; there was just one S-tier event held on American shores in 2024 (it being last year's IEM Dallas).
But we'll be treated to double-trouble over the next month with IEM Dallas returning and BLAST's Austin Major. Dallas acts as the perfect staging ground for some of the world's loudest fans to make themselves heard.
Wanting to get amongst the action yourself? Tickets for IEM Dallas 2025 are available here! For more IEM Dallas coverage or CS2 news stay with us at esports.gg.
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