Group Spirit has formally withdrawn from IEM Melbourne only a week and a half earlier than the occasion kicks off, ESL introduced.
The Russian organisation shall be changed by Complexity Gaming, which was subsequent in line primarily based on the newest Counter-Strike 2 World VRS rankings. The workforce has accepted the invitation.
Though Group Spirit notified ESL of its withdrawal on April 4th, neither the workforce nor ESL has offered a purpose for a similar.
“Group Spirit have withdrawn from IEM Melbourne on Friday, April 4th and can not be competing within the match. Complexity accepted our invitation and we’re excited to see them return down underneath after their Grand Ultimate look at IEM Sydney 2023,” ESL said within the announcement.
Different CS2 organisations which have opted out of the occasion embrace G2 Esports, FURIA and Astralis. Right here’s the up to date listing of collaborating groups, together with their group distribution:
Group Vitality defeated Group Spirit to win IEM Katowice 2025 and with its present roster, mixed with Spirit’s absence, the workforce shall be aiming to carry its third CS2 trophy of the yr.
With one much less top-tier opponent, MOUZ additionally has an excellent alternative to concentrate on taking BLAST Open Spring and ESL Professional League Season 21 revenge towards Vitality and develop into the champions.
ESL has additionally revealed the opening matchups and brackets for the occasion:
IEM Melbourne is about to start on April twenty first, with the Grand Ultimate going down on April twenty seventh. The match shall be streamed reside on ESL’s official Twitch and YouTube channels. For these attending in individual, the Rod Laver Enviornment will host reside viewers and tickets are already fully bought out.
