After nearly a decade, Cologne is once again set to become the epicenter of Counter-Strike as ESL officially announces the IEM Cologne Major 2026, scheduled to run from June 2 to 21.
This marks the first Valve-sponsored Major in Cologne since 2016, reigniting memories of legendary battles inside the LANXESS Arena. The 2026 edition will not only be Cologne’s fourth Major but also ESL’s 11th overall — and their first since the Rio 2022 event.
The IEM Cologne Major will feature the expanded 32-team format with four distinct stages, following Valve’s updated Major structure. While the full breakdown of stage formats hasn’t been confirmed, we do know one thing for sure — the playoffs will be played live in front of fans from June 18-21 at the iconic LANXESS Arena.
Marc Winther, Director of Game Ecosystems – Counter-Strike at ESL FACEIT Group, captured the significance of the announcement: “IEM Cologne has established itself as a cornerstone of competitive Counter-Strike, with each edition featuring the best teams, unmatched energy, and the best crowd.”
He added, “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.”
This is more than just a return — it’s a resurrection of one of Counter-Strike’s most beloved stages.