The Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Cologne will host a Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) Major from 2–21 June 2026, marking the first time in a decade the city has staged the prestigious tournament. The 2026 edition will see the Major once again organised by ESL, marking the company’s first since 2022.
The announcement came at the close of IEM Cologne 2025 at the LANXESS Arena. The 2026 Major will bring together 32 of the world’s best teams to compete for a $1.25m prize pool, an ESL Grand Slam point, and one of the most sought-after titles in the game.
Marc Winther, Director of Game Ecosystems – Counter-Strike at ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), said: “Bringing the Major back to Cologne after a decade is a celebration of everything IEM Cologne stands for. With an extra day of live competition and more ways to connect with the fans, we look forward to making it unforgettable for the Counter-Strike community.”
The Playoffs will run over four days in the LANXESS Arena, with organisers expecting more than 50,000 fans from over 70 countries, alongside worldwide broadcasts in over 20 languages.
IEM Cologne is widely regarded as one of Counter-Strike’s most iconic events, earning the nickname “Cathedral of Counter-Strike” for its atmosphere and history. It last held Major status in 2016, completing a three-year run that began in 2014.
This year’s IEM Cologne, held from 23 July to 3 August, attracted over 41,000 attendees across three sold-out arena days and drew a peak online viewership of more than 1 million, according to Esports Charts. The tournament concluded with Team Spirit defeating MOUZ 3–0 in the Grand Final to claim the championship.
