IEM Cologne 2025 playoffs will be played on the old patch

ESL confirmed today that the IEM Cologne 2025 playoffs will be be played "on the same patch as the first two stages."

With ESL electing not to utilize the July 28th update to CS2, fans won't see the complete overhaul of first-person animations or substantial changes to Inferno and Train on the main stage, nor hear any of the new audio sounds.

This isn't surprising though, as in the past tournament organizers have chosen to keep an entire tournament on the same patch, rather than switch patches between stages. It's unclear whether this decision was made solely by ESL or if it was run by players and coaches.

IEM Cologne playoffs start on Friday, August 1st with MOUZ taking on FURIA and NAVI facing The MongolZ. Playoffs will conclude on Sunday with the grand finals, followed by a special announcement that's got the community buzzing.

BLAST Bounty Fall qualifiers in the first week of August will likely be played on the latest patch.