BIG surge in Cologne Major race as Liquid and Ninjas in Pyjamas struggle to keep hopes alive

BIG surge in Cologne Major race as Liquid and Ninjas in Pyjamas struggle to keep hopes alive

The race for qualification to the upcoming Counter-Strike Major in Cologne is becoming increasingly intense, with several teams rapidly improving their positions while others risk falling out of contention. Recent tournament results and ranking movements have reshaped the qualification picture, highlighting the rise of BIG while organizations like Liquid and Ninjas in Pyjamas find themselves in a precarious situation. 

BIG gaining momentum in the qualification battle

One of the teams experiencing the most positive momentum in the Major race is the German organization BIG. The squad has started 2026 strongly and recently entered the range for direct invitations to the Cologne Major according to the live Valve Regional Standings (VRS). 

BIG’s surge has been driven by a string of successful results in recent tournaments. The team secured the title at NODWIN Clutch Series 5, defeating ECSTATIC 2–1 in the grand final of the $50,000 event. This victory marked their third tournament win of the year after earlier triumphs at Roman Imperium Cup IV and United21 Esplay Challenge Season 1. 

These consistent performances allowed BIG to climb significantly in the rankings, reaching around the top 20 of the VRS and moving into the zone where teams begin receiving Major invitations. The team is also competing in the closed qualifier for Stake Ranked Episode 1, a $100,000 event featuring teams ranked roughly between 10th and 20th in the world. Success there could further strengthen their position by providing additional VRS points and valuable LAN experience against strong opposition. 

The German roster — which currently features players such as Johannes “tabseN” Wodarz, JDC, faveN, blameF, and gr1ks — has shown improved form throughout early 2026, turning them into one of the most notable climbers in the Major qualification race. 

Liquid fighting an uphill battle

While BIG’s prospects are improving, Team Liquid face a much more difficult path toward the Major. Their situation worsened after an early exit from ESL Pro League Season 23 Stage 1, where they were eliminated with a 2-3 record. 

Following that result, Liquid’s probability of qualifying for the Major dropped dramatically. According to calculations cited by HLTV, the team had only about a 13% chance of reaching the event based on their initial schedule. 

In response, the organization has attempted to boost its chances by registering for additional LAN tournaments that could provide valuable ranking points. Liquid signed up for Roman Imperium Cup VI and DraculaN Season 6, events scheduled for mid-March and late March respectively. Competing in both tournaments could raise their qualification probability to roughly 35%, assuming solid performances. 

The decision highlights how critical LAN victories have become in the VRS system. Teams earn significant ranking gains by winning matches at offline events, making them essential opportunities for squads that currently sit outside the Major invitation threshold. For Liquid, failing to capitalize on these tournaments could effectively end their chances of reaching the prestigious Cologne event.

Ninjas in Pyjamas also under pressure

Ninjas in Pyjamas are facing a similar dilemma. While the Swedish organization still has a relatively busy schedule of upcoming events, their results have not been strong enough to significantly improve their standing in the rankings. 

For NiP, the key challenge is not the number of events but their performance in them. Simply attending tournaments will not be enough to secure qualification; the team must convert opportunities into deep runs or victories to accumulate enough ranking points. Without a clear improvement in results, their Major hopes may continue to shrink as other teams climb ahead in the standings. 

Other teams also feeling the pressure

French squad 3DMAX is another team whose qualification hopes have been affected by inconsistent results. Like Liquid and NiP, their recent performances have caused them to slide down the Major race rankings. The team may need to add more LAN events to their schedule in order to remain competitive in the qualification battle. 

Meanwhile, ongoing competitions such as ESL Pro League Season 23 continue to influence the Major race. Matches played in these tournaments provide teams with crucial opportunities to gain ranking points and improve their standing before invitations are finalized.

A volatile race for Cologne

With several months still remaining before the Cologne Major lineup is finalized, the qualification race remains highly fluid. Teams currently outside the invitation range can still climb rapidly with strong tournament performances, while those already in favorable positions must maintain consistency to avoid slipping down the standings.

BIG’s recent rise illustrates how quickly fortunes can change in the VRS system when teams string together strong results. Conversely, the struggles of organizations like Liquid and Ninjas in Pyjamas demonstrate how damaging early eliminations and poor form can be when every event carries significant ranking implications.

As more LAN tournaments take place throughout the spring, the fight for Cologne is expected to become even tighter. Teams on the edge of qualification will need to deliver strong performances in the coming weeks if they hope to secure a coveted place at one of Counter-Strike’s most prestigious events.