For the first time ever, Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) moves from Katowice to Krakow. The teams got invites thanks to their VRS Global placements in January 2026.
The role of this Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) event is pretty significant. It’s the first tournament this year to gather the biggest teams in the arena with live audiences. The fire atmosphere is guaranteed! Also, we can witness the current competitive form of the IEM Krakow 2026 teams: the favorites and ambitious underdogs.
The usual powerhouses start directly from the Group Stage. Lower-seeded teams should make it through Play-In matches — this tournament phase has prepared surprises for the CS2 community.
All teams at IEM Krakow 2026
Check out the image below to see all the teams invited to CS2 IEM Krakow 2026 for the tournament's Stage 1 and 2. The tournament happens from Jan. 28 to Feb. 8.
Surprises of the Play-In stage
Aurora Gaming Team Liquid HEROIC Passion UA | B8 3DMAX paiN Gaming BC.Game Esports | Legacy Astralis FUT Esports NRG | G2 Esports PARIVISION Ninjas in Pyjamas GamerLegion |
The biggest surprise of this early tournament stage is the presence of Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev’s new team at IEM Krakow 2026, BC.Game Esports. The roster changed after reaching this level in VRS Global: three players from SAW joined the team.
Astralis lost two players after the Budapest Major. Nicolai "dev1ce" Reedtz left for 100 Thieves. Emil "Magisk" Reif has his contract expired. The team comes to IEM Katowice with new guys in the roster: Love "phzy" Smidebrant and Gytis "ryu" Glušauskas.
Aurora Gaming and Legacy had a rather disappointing performance at the StarLadder Boston Major 2025. It’s interesting to see what they have prepared during the break. Both have roster changes.
G2 Esports fell to the level of Play-In teams, as they struggled with inconsistency throughout 2025.
Team Liquid and paiN Gaming have potentially good chances to join the Group Stage teams at IEM Krakow 2026 — esports bookmakers reflect this with their odds.
B8, Passion UA, and 3DMAX were among the best underdogs at the Budapest Major. It’s also interesting to follow them in Krakow.
State of the top play: Teams to start IEM Krakow 2026 from the Groups
FURIA Natus Vincere | Team Vitality MOUZ | Team Falcons FaZe Clan | Team Spirit The MongolZ |
These teams certainly are the favorites to advance to the playoffs and win IEM Krakow 2026.
Vitality players just won their second Major trophy in a row. This tournament is a chance to start the CS2 esports season 2026 strong and get an advantage in the ESL Grand Slam VI.
Despite having an excellent year, FURIA stumbled in the Major’s playoffs. NAVI would love to repeat their success against these opponents.
FaZe Clan reached the grand final in Budapest, and we need to see what their magic can achieve in Krakow.
Many invited teams have a relatively big tournament to warm up ahead of Intel Extreme Masters Krakow 2026. BLAST Bounty Winter 2026 happens from Jan. 13 to Jan. 25, including online qualifiers and LAN playoffs in a studio environment.
