Kraków Stage 1 Fantasy Now Live — s1mple’s Price Hits Record Low of $195K

Kraków Stage 1 Fantasy Now Live — s1mple’s Price Hits Record Low of $195K

The first of three Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Kraków 2026 Fantasy contests has officially gone live, offering fans a new way to engage with one of the year’s most anticipated Counter-Strike 2 tournaments. As part of this release, legendary AWPer Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev is available at an unusually low price of $195,000 — the lowest he’s been priced in a seasonal Fantasy game to date. 

This early Fantasy contest corresponds to Stage 1 of IEM Kraków 2026, the first competitive window of the event taking place January 28–30, 2026 in Poland. The Fantasy format allows participants to build virtual teams from the 16 competing sides and compete for real prizes based on in-game performance. 

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Fantasy Format, Prizes, and Structure

• Tournament Structure: Stage 1 operates as a 16-team, double-elimination bracket, with all matches played as best-of-three.

• Season Rewards: The overall Fantasy season rewards the top 10 participants with cash and in-game item prizes, sponsored by Hellcase. The highest-earning player earns $5,000, with decreasing rewards for runners-up, and additional skin prizes for other high placements. 

• Celebrity Leaderboard: A separate leaderboard features talent and personalities competing for a $2,000 prize pool, adding a secondary layer of competition for Fantasy fans.

With Stage 1 just the beginning, separate Fantasy games for Stage 2 and the Playoffs will become available as the event progresses, ensuring continuous engagement throughout the tournament. 

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Why s1mple’s Price is So Significant

The Ukrainian star’s $195K valuation is noteworthy for several reasons:

• Record Low Price: It marks a substantial drop from prices seen at other events — for instance, s1mple entered ESL Challenger Katowice Fantasy at around $205K late last year. 

• Underdog Position: The low price reflects the status of his current team, BC.Game Esports, which is seeded as one of the lowest-ranked rosters in Stage 1. As a result, s1mple’s team is considered an underdog relative to many of his opponents.

• High Upside: Despite the underdog status, s1mple’s individual performance remains a strong draw for Fantasy players due to his historical production in high-level Counter-Strike play. 

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The Event in Context — IEM Kraków 2026

IEM Kraków 2026 represents one of the earliest major LAN events of the 2026 CS2 season, effectively replacing the traditional IEM Katowice stop on the ESL circuit. The full IEM Kraków event runs January 28 – February 8, 2026, featuring a play-in stage, Stage 1, Stage 2, and culminating with playoffs at the TAURON Arena. 

Unlike some open qualifiers, invites to Kraków are primarily based on VRS Global rankings, ensuring a competitive field with established teams and rising contenders. 

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s1mple’s Return & New Team Storyline

One of the biggest storylines heading into Kraków is the return of s1mple to a high-profile LAN event following roster changes over the off-season. After spending most of his career with Natus Vincere (Na’Vi) and then being on loan at various squads, s1mple now competes under BC.Game Esports, a newly formed roster built in part from players from the former SAW lineup. 

• Official Invitation: BC.Game’s invite to Kraków 2026 came via their VRS placement, marking one of the first high-tier LAN test beds for the roster to prove itself.

• Training & Preparation: Reports indicate the team began full training in early January, with additional match exposure planned through smaller events like PLAYR Masters Season 1 leading up to Kraków.

Despite entering as underdogs, expectations surrounding s1mple’s impact remain considerable — a key reason Fantasy players may choose to invest in him at this reduced price.

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Participating Teams in Stage 1

Stage 1 features a mix of international teams, including:

• BC.Game Esports (s1mple’s squad)

• PARIVISION

• G2 Esports

• Team Liquid

• Aurora Gaming

• HEROIC

• 3DMAX

• NRG

• Passion UA

• B8

• Astralis

• paiN Gaming

• Legacy

• FUT Esports

• Ninjas in Pyjamas

• GamerLegion

This diverse lineup includes seasoned teams, upstart organizations, and international contenders, making Stage 1 both unpredictable and ripe for Fantasy points. 

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Final Notes — What Fans Should Know

• Fantasy Opportunity: Stage 1 represents a key opportunity for Fantasy players to capitalize early in the season, particularly by selecting players like s1mple at inflated performance potential and deflated price.

• Continuous Action: With Stage 2 and Playoffs Fantasy games on the horizon, participants can continue to optimize and adjust their strategies throughout the IEM Kraków cycle.

• Tournament Significance: IEM Kraków sets the tone for the 2026 competitive year, offering both ESL Pro Tour points and critical match experience ahead of future majors.