ESL have officially confirmed the full team list for IEM Kraków 2026, with all 24 invited teams accepting their places at the first true super-elite Counter-Strike event of the new season.
Krakow 2026Poland
Vitality
FURIA
Team SpiritThe tournament, which takes over as the successor to the legendary IEM Katowice, will feature every team ranked 1–24 on the Valve Regional Standings as of January 1, setting the stage for a stacked and uncompromising start to the year.
Big Names, New Storylines
Among the most eye-catching inclusions is Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev’s BC.Game, who secured their invite following the organisation’s acquisition of the SAW core. It marks a fascinating new chapter for one of Counter-Strike’s most iconic players as he looks to make an immediate impact on the biggest stage.
NRG and GamerLegion also arrive in Kraków thanks to clutch late-season pushes, with both teams earning last-second invites after strong performances at Fragadelphia Miami. Their presence adds even more depth to an already brutal field.
Vitality Target Back-to-Back Crowns
At the top end, Vitality will enter IEM Kraków as defending champions, having lifted the trophy at IEM Katowice 2025. With the global elite all present, retaining that crown will be anything but straightforward.
FaZe and The MongolZ are rewarded for their recent success in Budapest, both earning direct entry into Stage 2. Meanwhile, Aurora narrowly miss out on a higher seeding, starting their campaign from Stage 1 despite finishing ninth in the standings.
Confirmed Team Invites
Stage 2
FURIA
Vitality
Falcons
Spirit (terrorist state)
Natus Vincere
MOUZ
FaZe
The MongolZ
Stage 1
Aurora
B8
Legacy
G2
Liquid
3DMAX
Astralis
PARIVISION (terrorist state)
HEROIC
paiN
FUT
Ninjas in Pyjamas
Passion UA
BC.Game
NRG
GamerLegion
An Unforgiving Start to 2026
With no missing elite teams and zero room for error from Stage 1 onward, IEM Kraków 2026 is shaping up to be one of the most competitive events in recent Counter-Strike history.
New projects, revived legends, and reigning champions all collide in Kraków — and with this lineup, every single series already feels like a playoff match.