Your complete guide to IEM Cologne Major 2026

After a grueling Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) esports schedule in the first half of the year, with the VRS points grind in full effect, the team list for IEM Cologne Major 2026 was set in stone, with FaZe Clan missing out. Now that we’ve all come to terms with that shocking event, it’s time for a complete viewer’s guide to the IEM Cologne Major 2026.

Critical IEM Cologne Major 2026 details

IEM Cologne Major 2026 runs from 2 to 21 June, with 32 teams fighting for their share of the huge Valve-sponsored prize pool of $1,250,000. At the current Dollar to Rand exchange rate, that’s roughly R20.5 million!

The tournament takes place in Cologne, Germany. It’s collectively called the “Cathedral of Counter-Strike,” known throughout the years as one of the biggest events of the season. With IEM Cologne 2026 also being a Major Championship, it is considered one of the biggest events in history.

Check out the schedule of the four stages below, so you can plan ahead.

• Stage 1 runs from 2 to 5 June 2026.
• Stage 2 runs from 6 to 9 June 2026.
• Stage 3 runs from 11 to 15 June 2026.
• Playoffs Stage runs from 18 to 21 June 2026.

The first three stages of competition use a 16-team Swiss System format, in which the top eight teams advance and the bottom eight teams per stage are eliminated. IEM Cologne Major 2026’s Playoffs Stage features a single-elimination bracket format, where Quarterfinals and Semifinals matches are best-of-three, and the Grand Final is best-of-five.

All stages of the competition will take place on LAN. The Playoffs Stage will see the final eight teams compete before a massive crowd at the iconic LANXESS Arena.

Teams at IEM Cologne Major 2026

Check out the complete list of teams, the stages of the Major Championship they start their journeys in, and their respective regions.

For those new to CS2 esports, Stage 1 teams are the underdogs, while Stage 3 teams are the best-of-the-best.

How to watch IEM Cologne Major 2026

CS2 esports fans can watch all the top-tier CS2 action live via the official ESL Counter-Strike YouTube and ESLCS Twitch channels. Stay tuned to Esports Central as we plan on bringing you a highlights video and the complete results of IEM Cologne Major 2026 after the dust settles on the Cathedral of Counter-Strike near the end of the month.

Header image via ESL.