This CS2 tournament will mark the return of a Major to Cologne after 10 years.
Team Spirit just won Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Cologne 2025, and amid the roaring crowd, fans had even more to celebrate. ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) announced that IEM Cologne 2026 will be a CS2 Major!
IEM Cologne 2026 Major
The IEM Cologne 2026 Major will happen between June 2 and 21 in 2026 in the LANXESS arena. It will also feature 32 teams duking it out for the lion's share of a $1.25 million prize pool. A coveted ESL Grand Slam point will be on the line as well.
“IEM Cologne has established itself as a cornerstone of competitive Counter-Strike, with each edition featuring the best teams, unmatched energy, and the best crowd,” Marc Winther, the director of game ecosystems for Counter-Strike at EFG, said.
Related articles
IEM Cologne 2026 Major schedule
He continued, adding that bringing the Major back to Cologne after a decade will be a celebration of everything IEM Cologne stands for. Additionally, the extra day of live competition will mean more ways to connect with fans and make the overall experience unforgettable. The playoffs for this event will happen between June 18 and June 21.
- June 18 - Quarterfinals
- June 19 - Quarterfinals
- June 20 - Semifinals
- June 21 - Grand Final
IEM Cologne 2026 to break attendance records
According to EFG, IEM Cologne 2025 drew over 41,000 attendees across three days and reached a global peak viewership of about 1.08 million. For the IEM Cologne 2026 Major, more than 50,000 fans are expected to be there in person.
Until 2026, CS2 fans can look forward to ESL Pro League (EPL) Season 22 starting online this Sept. 27, followed by IEM Chengdu 2025 from Nov. 3 to 9.
That's all for now. Are you excited about next summer? Stick around on esports.gg for more CS2 news and updates.
