IEM Cologne starts today

This article was originally published on GameSpot's sister site onGamers.com, which was dedicated to esports coverage.

Before the massive IEM Katowice finals, where the SC2 portion of the tournament will be played in a $100,000 winner-takes-all fashion, IEM are warming up with their first SC2-exclusive circuit stop in Cologne today.

The line-up for the tournament was selected from WCS points, regional qualifiers and invites and field some of the most impressive SC2 players to have ever graced the game, like Lee 'Jaedong' Jae Dong, Lee 'INnoVation' Shin Hyung, Jung 'Rain' Yoon Jung and Lee 'Leenock' Dong Nyoung.

ESL's VP of esports, Michael 'Carmac' Blicharz also revealed in a tweet that the tickets for Sunday have all sold out, which makes a case for SC2 as a viewer esport in the west still.

Image Credit: intelextremasters.com, twitter.com/esltv