IEM Cologne 2026 Announced as the Next CS2 Major, Set for June 2–21 at Lanxess Arena

IEM Cologne 2026 Announced as the Next CS2 Major, Set for June 2–21 at Lanxess Arena

Esports Insider has officially reported that Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Cologne 2026 will serve as the first CS2 Major of the 2026 season, taking place from June 2 to June 21, 2026, at the iconic Lanxess Arena in Cologne, Germany. The tournament will feature a $1.25 million prize pool, making it one of the year’s most prestigious Counter-Strike events.

📌 Key Details

Lanxess Arena will host the playoff stage of the Major, marking the first time a Major returns to Cologne in a decade — the last being in 2016.

32 teams will compete in the Major, qualifying through Valve Regional Standings (VRS).

The format will mirror other recent Majors like the PGL CS2 Major in Copenhagen, with three stages: Challengers, Legends, and Champions (playoffs).

Mark Winter, Director of CS at ESL FACEIT Group, stated:

“IEM Cologne established itself as a cornerstone of competitive CS… Bringing the Major back to Cologne after a decade is a celebration of its legacy and the fans.”

🔍 Background & Comparison

IEM Cologne 2025 was a high-profile S-Tier tournament but not a Major.

The $1.25 million prize pool is in line with previous CS2 Majors such as PGL Copenhagen 2025 and IEM Katowice 2025, reflecting Valve's standardized funding model.

🌍 Significance for the CS2 Scene

This marks a historic return of Major status to IEM Cologne after 10 years, reinforcing the tournament’s prestige within the Counter-Strike ecosystem.

Lanxess Arena, often called the "Cathedral of Counter-Strike", has hosted numerous legendary matches and will once again be the centerpiece of global CS fandom.

The expansion to 32 teams continues Valve’s CS2 Major format, promoting greater regional representation through the VRS system.

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📅 Save the Date

• Event: IEM Cologne 2026 (CS2 Major)

• Dates: June 2–21, 2026

• Venue: Lanxess Arena, Cologne, Germany

• Prize Pool: $1.25 million

• Teams: 32, based on Valve Regional Standings