ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) has announced the team list for IEM Atlanta 2026, revealing that multiple invited squads have declined to attend the Tier 1 tournament, which runs from 17th to 25th May as part of DreamHack Atlanta. The decisions are understood to be influenced by a direct scheduling conflict with PGL Astana 2026.
Based on Valve Rankings (VRS), the list of teams that declined their invitations includes FURIA, Parivision, G2 Esports, Team Falcons, Team Spirit, MOUZ, and The MongolZ. The broad expectation within the industry is that the majority, if not all, of these teams are opting to prioritise PGL Astana 2026, which runs from 7th to 17th May.
This preference can be explained by the significant difference in prize pools—PGL Astana offers $1,600,000 compared to IEM Atlanta’s $1,000,000—as well as potential logistical challenges related to travel and ongoing entry complexities for international competitors into the United States. Many of the listed rosters have better or more straightforward access to Kazakhstan than to the U.S.
Specific team circumstances are also a factor: FURIA, for example, fields a Kazakh player on its roster (Danil “molodoy” Golubenko), which increases the appeal for the team to attend the event in Astana.
The main event will instead proceed with invited sides including Team Vitality, NAVI, FaZe Clan, and Team Liquid, alongside qualifier winners. BC.Game, ranked 22nd in the February VRS update, is the lowest-ranked team to receive a direct invite.
The absence of several elite teams provides an opportunity for lesser-seen squads to make a deep run. For attending teams like Team Vitality, the event remains a chance to earn points towards the ESL Grand Slam.
This situation is the latest manifestation of recurring scheduling tensions between tournament organisers. In late 2025, PGL publicly adjusted its 2026 calendar, citing direct clashes with ESL FACEIT Group events.
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