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IEM Rio is already set to be one of the biggest Majors in CSGO history, ESL has now gone a step further by announcing the prize pool for the tournament will be raised to $1,250,000.
This makes IEM Rio the second largest prize pool for a CSGO Major, behind PGL Stockholm.
A huge event
ESL state that the change means that any team who qualifies for the Major will receive prize money. This includes the teams eliminated in the Challengers stage. This has not been the case in previous Majors, including PGL Stockholm.
The money has been reallocated from the RMR events and will also affect the money distributed to the teams finishing between 2nd-16th place. The fee of $500,000 given to the victors will remain unchanged.
ESL had already announced significant changes to the IEM Rio Major. The first Major to be held in Brazil, the tournament will be a 12-day fan event, with every stage being played in front of a crowd. Outside of the Champions stage arena, popular streamer Gaules will also be hosting a fan event where people without tickets to the arena will be able to watch the finals on a big screen.
The RMRs are set to kick off very soon, beginning a day after the conclusion of ESL Pro League Season 16.
