ESL has announced the groups and opening matchups for IEM Beijing, the Counter-Strike 2 event running from November 2-8 in the Chinese capital.
The 16 participating teams were split into two double-elimination groups of eight. Each group winner earns a direct ticket to the semi-finals, while the second- and third-placed teams qualify for the quarter-finals.
The draw put Natus Vincere against Falcons at the head of Group A's openers, a rematch of the two sides' earlier clash at EPL S24. It also paired FURIA with FaZe, HEROIC with B8, and Legacy with The MongolZ.
In Group B, the draw sent G2 to PARIVISION and put BETBOOM, the recent Thunderpick World Championship runners-up, opposite 9z. Aurora were seeded into the same group and drawn against Liquid, with MOUZ and TYLOO completing the first round.
- Group A: Natus Vincere vs. Falcons
- Group A: FURIA vs. FaZe
- Group A: HEROIC vs. B8
- Group A: Legacy vs. The MongolZ
- Group B: G2 vs. PARIVISION
- Group B: BETBOOM vs. 9z
- Group B: Liquid vs. Aurora
- Group B: MOUZ vs. TYLOO
HLTV, which reported the draw, singled out the Natus Vincere and Falcons meeting as the standout opener. ESL has not published further details of the schedule beyond the opening round.
