Which teams qualified for IEM Chengdu 2025 playoffs?

Image of IEM Chengdu 2025 attendee waving Astralis scarf in the air.

Following two days of Group Stage matches, the six teams competing in the IEM Chengdu 2025 playoffs are set.

The world’s best Counter-Strike 2 teams are battling it out for a chance to win a share of a $300,000 (~£230,103) prize pool and valuable LAN experience before the focus turns towards the StarLadder Budapest Major.

Before the first shots are fired on the virtual battlefield, Esports Insider takes a closer look at all of the IEM Chengdu playoffs teams and which are in contention to lift the trophy.

Keep Reading

IEM Chengdu 2025 Playoffs Teams

Similar to other Tier 1 events that have taken place in 2025, the six remaining teams successfully navigated through two double-elimination GSL groups, with three advancing from Groups A and B.

The winners of the group have secured a place in the semi-final, with teams that finished second and third advancing to the quarter-finals.

Team Falcons

After missing out on victory at ESL Pro League Season 22, Team Falcons looks to build on a string of consistent results with another strong showing in Chengdu.

The pairing of Ilya ‘m0NESY‘ Osipov and Maksim ‘kyousuke‘ Lukin is beginning to deliver a significant impact on the server, with the youngsters often topping the scoreboard thanks to their fragging ability.

Team Falcons navigated its way through Group A without conceding a map, recording 2-0 sweeps over TYLOO, Team Spirit, and Astralis to lock in a place in the semi-finals. The Saudi Arabian organisation plays either FURIA or The MongolZ.

MOUZ

MOUZ remains one of the most consistent teams in Tier 1 Counter-Strike, recording 13 top-four finishes since February.

Despite a slight drop in the November Valve Regional Standings (VRS), the German organisation defeated FaZe Clan, Team Vitality, and FURIA on its way to securing the top seed from Group B.

The winner of Astralis and Team Vitality awaits MOUZ, which has another opportunity to reach another Tier 1 Grand Final and build solid foundations in preparation for the Major.

Astralis

Since its second-place finish at FISSURE Playground 1, Astralis has shown glimpses of potential with Emil ‘Magisk‘ Reif fully integrated into the starting lineup once again.

The Danish side opened its Chengdu run with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over NAVI before carrying the momentum into a 2-0 sweep of The MongolZ. Despite a 2-0 defeat to Team Falcons in the upper bracket final, Astralis had successfully made it into its first playoffs since BLAST Bounty Season 2.

Astralis faces Team Vitality in the quarter-finals, a tricky but not impossible hurdle to overcome.

FURIA

FURIA’s decision to transition to an international roster is paying off in spades, winning FISSURE Playground 2 and Thunderpick World Championship 2025 along with a top-four finish at BLAST Open London.

The team currently sitting at the top of the global VRS made light work of Lynn Vision Gaming and G2 Esports to cement its place in the playoffs. MOUZ halted its momentum in the upper bracket final, handing the team its first loss of the tournament.

With many looking at FURIA as a contender for the Major, victory in Chengdu will continue what’s been a strong second half of 2025. The Brazilian organisation takes on The MongolZ in the opening quarter-final.

Team Vitality

Chengdu marks another opportunity for Team Vitality to add to its ever-expanding trophy cabinet. The French organisation bested Virtus.pro in its opening match before defeat to MOUZ sent the BLAST.tv Austin Major winners into the lower bracket.

Team Vitality showed its class, sweeping aside Lynn Vision Gaming and G2 Esports to earn yet another playoffs appearance.

The team begins its playoff run against Astralis, a team capable of springing a surprise when firing on all cylinders.

The MongolZ

Heading into Chengdu with Unudelger ‘controlez‘ Baasanjargal as a stand-in, The MongolZ has defied expectations, having secured the sixth and final playoffs place.

The new-look roster opened proceedings with a 2-1 win over HEROIC before Astralis sent the team into the lower bracket. A 2-1 win over paiN Gaming set up a blockbuster clash against Team Spirit for the final place in the next phase of the tournament.

Controlez shone on his Tier 1 debut, making crucial plays in the latter stages of Mirage to help secure a 2-1 victory, sending the Shanghai Major champions out of the event.

Source: https://esportsinsider.com/