IEM Chengdu 2025 Playoff Bracket Set: Falcons, MOUZ Secure Bye While Quarter-Finals Line-Up Takes Shape

IEM Chengdu 2025 Playoff Bracket Set: Falcons, MOUZ Secure Bye While Quarter-Finals Line-Up Takes Shape

The playoff picture for IEM Chengdu 2025 is now official, with two teams locking in direct paths to the semi-finals and four more heading into quarter-final matches starting Friday, November 7. 

Who Starts in the Semis?

At the top of the table, two squads emerged with flawless group-stage runs and will skip the quarter-final round entirely:

• Team Falcons: The European side dominated Group A with a 3–0 record, sweeping TYLOO, Spirit and Astralis 2–0 each, thus claiming first place and earning the semi-final bye. 

• mouz: Group B winners after taking down a stacked field—FaZe, Vitality and FURIA—also secured the top seed in their group and the direct semi-final berth.

Their strong performances afford them extra rest, preparation time and the favourable bracket positioning that many teams covet in a major LAN.

Quarter-Finals Match-Ups

With the group winners locked into the semis, the quarter-final stage will feature the second and third seeds from each group:

• On one side of the bracket: Team Vitality (Group B #2) will face Astralis (Group B #3) in the first quarter-final tie. 

• On the opposite side: FURIA (Group B) will go up against The MongolZ (Group A #3) with the winner advancing to meet Falcons. 

This structure ensures that while Falcons and mouz rest and prepare for their semi-finals, the remaining contenders must fight through the quarters — giving the top seeds a tangible advantage in both fatigue and preparation.

Format Recap & Strategic Importance

The IEM Chengdu format plays a critical role here. As detailed in the event announcement, the format is:

• Group stage: Two groups of eight teams, double-elimination best-of-3. The group winner from each group advances directly to the semi-finals; second and third place teams from each group go into quarter-finals.

• Playoffs: Single-elimination bracket. The quarter-finals and semi-finals are best-of-3, while the grand final is a best-of-5.

Because of this structure, finishing first in a group carries enormous benefits: fewer matches, more time to prepare, more rest — which can translate to better performance in the later rounds when stakes and fatigue are highest.

Key Storylines & Implications

1. Falcons and mouz emerge as standout performers
Falcons’ clean sweep in Group A and mouz’s strong showing in Group B mark both teams as ones to watch. Futures of other squads — even titled ones — now hinge on surviving the quarters.

2. Vitality and Astralis must navigate extra matches
Both Vitality and Astralis avoid the immediate elimination but must fight through an extra best-of-3 if they’re to reach the semis. The added pressure and possible fatigue give an indirect advantage to Falcons and mouz.

3. Dark horse potential with The MongolZ vs FURIA
The quarter-final tie between FURIA and The MongolZ hints at interesting dynamics. The MongolZ, in particular, have been garnering buzz for strong recent performances and could be dangerous if they upset FURIA and then face Falcons with momentum. Media already flag them as a dark-horse threat. 

4. Preparation & stamina now matter more than ever
With fewer matches to play, the top seeds gain an advantage not just structurally but tactically. More time to practice, to watch opponent demos, to rest physically — all matter when matches escalate in intensity.

What to Expect in the Next Phase

• Falcons will await the winner of FURIA vs The MongolZ, likely giving them an additional day‐of rest and opponent-scouting window.

• mouz will face the winner of Vitality vs Astralis. Assuming Vitality advances, it sets up a rematch of a recent high-tension series.

• For the quarter-final teams, edge becomes about peaking at the right time: avoiding elimination early, managing map pool fatigue, and handling the pressure of ‘must-win’ matches.

• The grand final path: if both top seeds succeed, we may see a Falcons vs mouz final, two teams who dominated groups and did not require quarters — would be a clash of consistency vs momentum.

Final Thoughts

The playoff bracket for IEM Chengdu 2025 is set, and the advantages for the group winners are clear. Falcons and mouz sit in prime position. Meanwhile, the remaining four teams have one more hurdle to clear just to reach the same stage. With the format placing a premium on fewer matches and improved preparation, we are now moving into a phase where stamina, adaptability and mental resilience will determine success.

Every pairing from here is high stakes — but the ones starting from the semis already have a key edge built in. As the tournament continues, watch how the favourites and challengers navigate the bracket, how preparation impacts performance, and whether the structural edges convert into final-day glory.

The stage is now set. Let the playoffs begin.

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Sources:

• HLTV article “IEM Chengdu playoff bracket set” 

• Event overview & format details for IEM Chengdu 2025 

• Esports News UK summary of playoff teams and match-ups