Falcons bench kyxsan, sign karrigan after IEM Rio 2026 playoff struggles

Falcons roster change: kyxsan benched after 16 months as IGL

Falcons have officially benched Damjan “kyxsan” Stoilkovski following their third-place finish at IEM Rio 2026, marking a major roster change for the top-tier CS2 team.

The Macedonian in-game leader spent 16 months with Falcons, helping the squad secure its only title at PGL Bucharest and reach six additional grand finals. Despite consistent deep runs, Falcons repeatedly fell short in playoffs, a pattern that ultimately led to the decision.

kyxsan confirmed the move publicly, stating that he had been moved to the bench shortly after the Rio event.

karrigan joins Falcons as new in-game leader

The benching comes alongside the confirmed signing of Finn “karrigan” Andersen, who joins Falcons from FaZe and immediately takes over IGL duties.

The move reunites karrigan with Nikola “NiKo” Kovač and head coach Danny “zonic” Sørensen—one of the most experienced leadership cores in Counter-Strike.

The current Falcons lineup now features:

karrigan (IGL)

NiKo

m0NESY

TeSeS

kyousuke

This change signals a clear shift in direction, with Falcons prioritizing proven leadership to solve their biggest weakness.

NiKo highlights Falcons’ biggest problem: playoff performance

Falcons’ struggles in high-pressure matches became a key storyline at IEM Rio 2026.

After the semi-final loss to Spirit, NiKo openly addressed the issue:

“We’re just not good enough in playoffs right now.”

He emphasized that the problem has appeared multiple times throughout 2026, despite the team’s strong performances in earlier stages of tournaments.

kyxsan and NiKo addressed roster rumors during IEM Rio

Leading up to the playoffs, both kyxsan and NiKo responded to ongoing roster speculation involving karrigan.

NiKo downplayed the impact of rumors, stating:

“There is really no distraction from our side at all.”

kyxsan also remained focused on competition, explaining:

“My job is to come here and play, and that’s what I’m doing.”

Despite these statements, the roster move was finalized immediately after the event, confirming that internal changes were already in motion.

Why Falcons replaced kyxsan with karrigan

The decision reflects a clear competitive goal: fixing Falcons’ inability to convert deep runs into championships.

Under kyxsan, Falcons were:

Consistent playoff contenders

Frequent finalists

But unable to deliver titles consistently

The addition of karrigan—one of the most accomplished IGLs in Counter-Strike history—targets exactly that issue: leadership in decisive matches.

What’s next for Falcons in 2026?

Falcons currently remain among the top-ranked CS2 teams globally, but expectations are significantly higher given their star-studded roster.

With karrigan now leading the squad, the focus shifts to:

Improving playoff consistency

Converting finals into victories

Competing for major titles in 2026

The upcoming tournaments, including the Cologne Major cycle, will be the first real test of whether this roster move delivers results.

Related CS2 roster moves and news

Falcons confirm karrigan signing after FaZe exit

FaZe announce karrigan departure, ending long-term leadership era

NiKo calls out Falcons’ playoff struggles at IEM Rio

kyxsan responds to roster rumors during tournament