IEM Katowice dates announced

ESL has announced the dates and location for the 2016 IEM Katowice event.

Season 10 of the Intel Extreme Masters will come to a close with the World Championship, to be held at the Spodek Arena from March 4-6.

It is the same venue that hosted this year's IEM Katowice and the grand final of ESL One Katowice, but according to ESL the 2016 expo will be expanded to encompass over 8,000 square meters, making it "the largest esports event in the world to date."

IEM Katowice returns to the Spodek Arena 

As Michal Blicharz, ESL's Vice-president for Pro Gaming, announced earlier this month, the CS:GO tournament will have a minimum prize fund of $250,000, but the final payout could be much bigger as ESL will turn to crowdfunding.

"It's been an incredible ten seasons of the Intel Extreme Masters, and the grand finals to each season - the World Championship - has truly established itself as one of the main events in the calendar of any esports fan," Blicharz told ESL's website.

"This year's event in Katowice was one of the largest the esports industry has ever seen. With the return of Counter-Strike to the main stage, expanded EXPO part and increased prize money, IEM World Championship in 2016 will be even better."

Admission to IEM Katowice will be free of charge, but fans will be able to purchase tickets enabling earlier entrance, which will go on sale next month.