Iem Dallas 2025, which took place from May 19 to 25 at Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, became one of the most attractive Counter-Strike 2 tournaments of the year. According to the Esports Charts, the total viewing time of the tournament reached 16,753,218 hours, with an average audience of 352,700 people and the peak of 913,741 views. However, not the last matches are the focal point, but the matches of the FaZe Clan with the participation of the legendary S1Mple, who returned to the squad in the form of loan from Navi. FAZE matches have surpassed the final between Vitality and Mouz in terms of popularity, when the final reached only 705,459 views, this showed great interest for S1Mple.

Compare views and contributions of s1mple

The final of IEM Dallas 2025, took place on May 25, was the top match of the tournament: Vitality defeated Mouz with a score of 3: 0, winning $ 125,000 bonus along with 160,000 USD of the club bonus. Mouz received $ 50,000 and USD 100,000 bonuses. This match attracted 705,459 views, which is the highest number in the series of playoffs. However, the group stage has a higher number of viewers than the final: FAZE Clan vs. Liquid on May 19 (the first day of the group stage) reached 789,219 views, and the FAZE vs. match. Heroic on May 21 (Tuesday competition) reached 778,166 views. The third popular match is FaZe vs. BC.

S1Mple, the replacement of Broky in the Faze squad, is the main reason that makes that attraction. 
His return after the break time (his last match was at Europe RMR of Shanghai Major and Team Falcons in November 2024) created special attention. In the match against Liquid, the S1Mple recorded 38 networks (K/D 38-31), and in the match against BC.Game, he showed stability with K/D 39-16.

Despite the impressive start, FaZe was still eliminated in the semi-finals of the B-finals after losing to Heroic with a score of 1-2, and ending at the 9-12-class position, receiving 5,000 USD and 20,000 USD of the club bonus.

The index of the S1Mple at IEM Dallas 2025 - Why attract so much attention?

The return of the S1Mple in the role of the player is one of the most notable events of the tournament. After the unsuccessful performance with Team Falcons in 2024 and his career break, the fact that he joined Faze in loan has created a wave of discussion. Fans have been waiting for his performance, and S1mple does not disappoint them: His statistics in the group stage are quite good, and the ability to end important rounds reminds us of his legendary level in CS2.

s1mple is like a magnet that attracts the audience

Although Vitality is the championship team and Mouz has a powerful performance, it is S1Mple that is the most prominent star for the audience. On social networks, fans discussed excitedly about his return, and many commented that Faze and S1matle played more than expected. Some commentators believe that if Faze goes deeper and enters the playoff, the number of views may be even higher. This tournament also clearly shows the influence that the stars can bring the popularity of the match, even if it is not the decisive match.