The ESL Grand Slam race officially restarts at IEM Dallas 2025 following Team Vitality’s historic win. Discover what’s at stake, which teams are competing, and what events shape this next chapter in CS2 history.
The race for the next ESL Grand Slam has officially begun, as IEM Dallas 2025 marks the kickoff for the prestigious sixth season of one of Counter-Strike’s most elite achievements. Hosted by ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), the event takes place during DreamHack Dallas from May 19–25, featuring 16 top-tier teams vying for a $300,000 prize pool and, more importantly, the first step toward a $1 million Grand Slam title.
The restart of the Grand Slam chase comes hot on the heels of Team Vitality’s incredible run at IEM Melbourne 2025, where the French powerhouse defeated Team Falcons 3-2 in a thrilling grand final. This win made Vitality the fifth team in history to claim the ESL Grand Slam, joining the prestigious ranks of Astralis, Team Liquid, NAVI, and FaZe Clan.
Their victory concluded the fifth ESL Grand Slam cycle and reset the clock for all contenders. Now, every team participating in ESL’s circuit starts on equal footing, and the grind for gold bars and glory begins anew.
IEM Dallas now serves as the first eligible event contributing to the sixth edition of the ESL Grand Slam. The format remains unchanged: a team must win three ESL Pro Tour (EPT) Masters events and one EPT Championship event within a span of ten consecutive EPT tournaments to claim the million-dollar prize and a physical set of gold bars.
The competition is expected to be fierce, with three of the five previous Grand Slam winners, FaZe Clan, NAVI, and Team Liquid, set to participate in Dallas. Each will be aiming to take an early lead in this grueling yet prestigious marathon.
Following IEM Dallas, the next four events that will count toward this Grand Slam season include:
- IEM Cologne
- ESL Pro League Season 22
- IEM Chengdu
- ESL Pro League Season 23
Each of these tournaments will offer contenders a shot at fulfilling one of the required wins, keeping the stakes high and the calendar packed with drama.
The ESL Grand Slam is more than just a prize; it’s a testament to dominance, consistency, and resilience across the international Counter-Strike scene. Open to all teams competing in EFG’s CS2 circuit, it rewards the rare ability to stay at the top over a sustained period, across continents and formats.
As the sixth race unfolds, all eyes are on IEM Dallas to see who will take the early advantage. Will a familiar face rise again, or will a new dynasty be born? The path to the next ESL Grand Slam starts now, and every match counts.
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