CS2 fans praise ESL’s move for IEM Chengdu 2025

Counter-Strike 2 fans are buzzing with excitement after ESL confirmed that IEM Chengdu 2025 will feature live audiences during the group stage, a major shift from the long-standing tradition of reserving full crowd experiences only for the playoffs.

Announced via ESL’s official social channels, the update made waves instantly. The organizers declared that “IEM Chengdu 2025 is set to be bigger than ever before—featuring a crowd during the Group Stage of the tournament.” For many in the community, this feels like a game-changing step that could redefine the tournament atmosphere for both players and viewers.