IEM Rio 2026: Invited Teams Confirmed for $1M Brazil Showdown
ESL has revealed the complete lineup of invited teams for IEM Rio 2026, marking the return of Tier 1 Counter-Strike to Brazil after a two-year hiatus. Running from April 13-19 at Rio de Janeiro’s Farmasi Arena, the event boasts a massive $1,000,000 prize pool and crucial ESL Grand Slam points.
Invites were based on Valve Regional Standings (VRS) from January 5, 2026, with several top squads accepting while others declined, shaking up the field.
The teams invited to #IEM Rio 2026! 🇧🇷
🟡Main event
🔵Global Closed Qualifiers
🟢Americas Closed Qualifiers pic.twitter.com/bES9NzN4gq
— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) January 15, 2026
Tournament Format Breakdown
The main event features 16 teams in two double elimination groups of eight. The top three from each group advance to the playoffs for a shot at glory and the prize pool.
Qualifiers feed in the rest:
- Global Closed Qualifier: 16 teams, top 2 advance.
- Americas Closed Qualifier: 8 teams, top 1 advances.
Closed qualifiers kick off January 21-23.
Main Event Direct Invites
Eight of the top 10 VRS teams are locked in, including powerhouses like Team Vitality, Team Spirit, Natus Vincere, and Brazil’s own FURIA:
- PASSION UA
- FURIA
- Team Vitality
- Team Falcons
- Team Spirit
- Natus Vincere
- MOUZ
- Aurora Gaming
- B8
- Legacy
- G2 Esports
- Team Liquid
- 3DMAX
- Global Closed Qualifier Winner
- Global Closed Qualifier Runner-Up
- Americas Closed Qualifier Winner
Notable declines: FaZe Clan and The MongolZ.
Global Closed Qualifier Lineup
Rising stars and veterans battle for two main event spots:
- PARIVISION
- Heroic
- FUT Esports
- BC.Game Esports
- GamerLegion
- BetBoom Team
- Gentle Mates
- HOTU
- Fnatic
- EYEBALLERS
- K27
- 9INE
- Four Open Qualifier winners
Declines: Astralis, Ninjas in Pyjamas, FlyQuest.
Americas Closed Qualifier
South American squads vie for one spot:
- Imperial Esports
- Fluxo
- BESTIA
- YNG Sharks
- Four Open Qualifier winners
Declines: paiN Gaming, NRG, M80 citing schedules and regions.
Key Rules and Deadlines
Teams must retain a roster majority from the VRS snapshot. Closed qualifier rosters due January 18; main event by March 30.
Brazil’s passionate fans last saw Tier 1 CS in 2022, when Natus Vincere triumphed. Expect fireworks with Vitality, Falcons, and hosts FURIA in the mix.
Since: October 29, 2025
