IEM Rio Major: Broadcast talent & exciting side facts

The broadcast talents for the upcoming IEM Rio Major 2022 have finally been unveiled, with 24 high-profile talent set to guide viewers through the first Valve-hosted CS:GO event outside of Europe or North America.

The $1,250,000 tournament in Brazil kicks off on Monday, October 31 with the Challengers Stage and runs for two weeks, culminating in a best-of-three Grand Final on Sunday, November 13.

Hosts and casters

The Brazilian major is presented by a quartet of hosts: Tres “Stunna” Saranthus, Freya “Freya” Spiers, Pala “Mantrousse” Gilroy Sen, and Jasmine “Veracity” Kanuga. The Major will also be joined by an eight-person casting team, which will include commentator duo Alex “Machine” Richardson and Chad “SPUNJ” Burchill, who will return to the mics after the Brit’s absence from ESL Pro League Season 16.

Rounding out the roster of commentators are Canadian trio Mohan “launders” Govindasamy, Conner “Scrawny” Girvan, and Matthew “Sadokist” Trivett, as well as Hugo “Hugo” Byron, Harry “JustHarry” Russell, and Jason “moses” O’Toole.

IEM has recruited a handful of household names to explain the analytical side of things, including Janko “YNk” Paunović, Mathieu “Maniac” Quiquerez, and Alex “Mauisnake” Ellenberg, with the latter two also appearing at the PGL Antwerp Major back in May.

Interviewers and observers

Notably joining the said trio is Luis “Peacemaker” Tadeu, who will be at the Major in his home country despite being relieved of his coaching duties by Imperial in August. James “BanKs” Banks will be taking care of interviews alongside Anastasija “Heccu” Tolmačeva and Eefje “sjokz” Depoortere.

Side facts about the Rio Major

Before the show finally starts next Monday, here are a few things you should know about the Major. For the first time, the Major will be held in South America and this time, three 17-year-old players will be there for the first time, competing with the best.

Namely, Romanian Tarlea “Launx” Laurentiu who plays for Sprout, 9z’s Brazilian youngster Lucas “nqz” Soares, and Mongolian Sodbayar “Techno4K” Munkhbold who’s with the Mongolian organization IHC Esports. And For three organizations — OG, 00Nation and Gamer Legion — the Rio Major is the first Major ever. 

For Epitácio “TACO” de Melo and Marcelo “coldzera” David, who are affectionately known together as “TACOLD”, this marks the seventh Major played as a duo. When they competed together, they never finished lower than eighth place. Is that the case this time too?

Furthermore, CS:GO Legend Peter “dupreeh” Rasmussen is the only player to have competed in every major and Rio will mark his 18th Major. One round of applause for his passion, please! He tops the list of most-played majors, followed by Finn “karrigan” Andersen, and Dan “apEX” Madesclaire with 13 Majors.

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