IEM Chengdu 2025 to Feature Live Crowd for All Stages

IEM Chengdu 2025 to Feature Live Crowd for All Stages

Published on September 8, 2025

Overview
ESL has confirmed that IEM Chengdu 2025, scheduled to take place from November 3 to 9 at the Chengdu Financial City Performing Arts Center, will include a live audience across both the group stage and playoffs—a notable expansion from last year when group matches were played behind closed doors. 

More Live Coverage
Approximately 60% of all matches will now be played in front of spectators, including group-stage series running concurrently—an operational change made necessary by simultaneous match scheduling. 

Ticket Information

Early-bird tickets go on sale September 11 (UTC+8)

Group stage (1-day) tickets range from 388 CNY (~$54) (Tier 2) to 688 CNY (~$96) (Tier 1) 

Playoffs (3-day) tickets vary more: Tier 1 seats (closest to the stage with exclusive goodies) cost up to 3,888 CNY (~$545); lower tiers go down to 1,188 CNY (~$166)

Additional Fan Experience: Signing Sessions
A new feature this year—player signing sessions—gives fans a unique chance to meet competing teams up close.

Group stage sessions (Nov 2–4): tickets priced between 288–888 CNY depending on team rank.

Playoff sessions: priced at 888 CNY each.
Only 150–200 tickets per session will be available, and they will take place at an external venue.

Team Lineup Stability and Rule Update
The invited team list remains unchanged after ESL allowed a 48-hour grace period for withdrawals, per a request from Valve over clarity in withdrawal rules. 

That withdrawal rule has now been updated: teams who withdraw before September 7, 23:59 CEST will avoid sanctions, while withdrawals after will face penalties such as bans from upcoming Tier‑1 events. 

Participating Teams
The confirmed list of 16 teams includes top attractions such as Vitality, FURIA, MOUZ, Astralis, Virtus.pro, Natus Vincere, FaZe, and others. Two late additions, Virtus.pro and HEROIC, took spots vacated by GamerLegion and Aurora. 

Additional Context & Related Insights

ESL’s streaming and production approach has been praised for balancing crowd sound effectively, enhancing viewer experience even when fans remain muted in earlier stages. 

IEM Shanghai Major 2024 and other major events (e.g., IEM Rio 2022) have illustrated a growing trend: holding live audiences throughout all stages can boost engagement and atmosphere—a tactic now fully employed for IEM Chengdu.