In February 2025, Katowice held host to its infamous IEM tournament that has been held there every year since 2014. The event in 2014 was, of course, the first ever major held within Poland which made Virtus.Pro’s immaculate victory over Sweden’s Ninjas in Pyjamas in the final so much sweeter. Ninjas in Pyjamas had been the dominant team in CS:GO. Their 87-0 streak had ended, but they remained the best team in the world. Yet, they were not just any number one team – they had history with VP. NEO, though not a star player by 2014, was f0rest’s true rival for GOAT status at the time.IEM Katowice Trophy – via @ESLCS

Ever since that tournament, Katowice has become one off the most anticipated events after a Major and arguably Cologne.

With The MongolZ showing good form and putting up the numbers against strong squads and the early exit of G2, it was only certain that two of the best teams in the world at the current time, Team Vitality and Team Spirit, were to face off in the finale.

Team Spirit are were the reigning champions of Katowice, having lifted the trophy only the season before. They were determined to keep that silverware in their cabinet. Whereas, Team Vitality, with apEX as the IGL have yet to lift that trophy. apEX having attended all Katowice events has never been able to claim victory over the trophy. With this being his last chance he boasted a whopping 1.30 rating, basically handing him the trophy on a platter.apEX lifting the trophy – via @HLTVorg

The rumours flying around within the spherical alienated arena (Spodek arena), about this being the last IEM Katowice, was basically confirmed when on Wednesday the 12th of February, PGL announced their return to Krakow after a decade! Only to be blatantly shot down by the Tauron Arena and even the Mayor of Krakow, who said that PGL had announced Krakow before reserving the dates for the Tauron Arena. The Mayor had to say “The organiser announced the event date without having signed a reservation agreement with Tauron Arena. Unfortunately, another cyclical event is planned at that time”.

I wonder who this other “cyclical” event organiser could be. Could this have been the last IEM Katowice. We will have to wait and see.