Cologne Major 2026

The Cathedral of Counter-strike

  • 32 Teams
  • EPT Championship
  • $1,250,000

18 - 21 Jun, 2026Lanxess Arena

Tournament Starts: June 2nd

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EPT ChampionshipIEM Cologne Major 2026

The Cathedral of Counter-Strike has once more been blessed. 32 of the world's best teams will make their pilgrimage to Cologne, where they will compete for the title of IEM Cologne 2026 Champions.

The first Major championship of the year is the ground where legends in this game are made. Do you want to witness history in the making? Subscribe to be the first to hear about tickets.

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Cologne Major

June 18 - 21

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IEM Cologne 2026 Major Announcement

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Schedule

Day #1 - Thursday

Quarter Final #1

Quarter Final #2

Day #2 - Friday

Quarter Final #3

Quarter Final #4

Day #3 - Saturday

Semifinal #1

Semifinal #2

Day #4 - Sunday

Grandfinal

THIS IS IEM COLOGNE

Culminating in the heart of Cologne, the Cathedral of Counter-Strike has become a temple for history making. The event's significance lies in its long-lasting traditions and ability to consistently deliver iconic and memorable moments. With determination to run every year since 2014, IEM Cologne has now become the hallowed ground for a fourth CS Major, bringing together the greatest players and thousands of passionate fans to share and celebrate their love for the game.

The LANXESS arena has become a venue well known for its roaring crowds and electrifying atmosphere. Up to this day, IEM Cologne remains a beloved event, serving as a showcase of the game's longevity, enduring competitive spirit and the ever evolving world of esports.

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'For unbinding bombplant during a showmatch'
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'For when I tried to help Taz make a coffee before a match, but they couldn't get the machine to work. They lost that match, and I feel like it's my fault.'
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As one race ends, another begins. The $1,000,000 derby continues as top-tier teams will look to pick up the next title towards winning the ESL Grand Slam V and forever mark their names in the books of Counter-Strike history.

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ESL Gaming GmbH | Schanzenstraße 23 | 51063 Cologne, Germany
Tel.: +49 221 - 880 449 - 0 | Fax: +49 221 - 880 449 - 999 | info@eslgaming.com

ESL Gaming GmbH
Schanzenstraße 23 | 51063 Cologne, Germany
Tel.: +49 221 - 880 449 - 0 | Fax: +49 221 - 880 449 - 999
info@eslgaming.com
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Intel is the catalyst for PC gaming innovation, rallying the industry to make the PC the best place to play and create. The company believe the best gaming experience is done on the PC and always looking for ways to push their technology to the limits when it comes to performance, enabling the development community, driving new form factors and leveraging emerging technology. 

Additional information about Intel is available at intel.com/gaming

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Predator embodies the premium gaming experience by empowering our community with the latest technology, cutting-edge innovation, and iconic design. The entire lineup of products, from top-tier performing laptops and desktops to the newest gadgets and gear, is a showcase of our drive to deliver a unique value on every front. Please visit predator.acer.com for more information.

DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL family of divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With about 380,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses and is enabling global trade flows. Visit DHL In Motion

Introduced in 2008, ZOWIE is a brand committed to developing top-tier competitive gaming gear designed to enhance the performance of Esports athletes. Specializing in equipment for FPS players, ZOWIE strives to create products that empower players to perform at their best in intense FPS competitions. Check out ZOWIE products here.

FACEIT is the leading independent competitive gaming platform for online multiplayer PvP gamers with more than twenty million users. We aim to further the esports ecosystem by offering players of all levels the chance to compete in a competitive environment with the games they love while providing publishers and third party organisers with the tools needed to build their competitive community. Visit FACEIT here

GRID is a data platform powering competitive gaming - capturing every moment and play to transform raw game data into commercial and fan-facing opportunities. GRID enables live esports tracking, casual player stat mapping, broadcast enhancements, next-gen betting, and new revenue streams across the ecosystem. By advancing technology and driving innovation, GRID is building the foundation for competitive gaming’s data-driven future. Find out more here .

Qiddiya City: where Play comes to life. A futuristic city comprising a mix of high-energy entertainment attractions, sports complexes, cultural landmarks and residential neighborhoods set against one of the region’s most iconic landscapes. The world’s first city built for Play, this is where thrilling entertainment & sports meet cultural experiences. Qiddiya City, a cornerstone of Saudi Vision 2030, embodies joy, creativity, and connection.
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Founded in 2007, 1xBet has quickly become one of the leading brands in the gaming industry. Hundreds of events every day plus exciting promotions and offers have already attracted millions of sports and esports fans. Here players place bets on CS:GO, Dota 2, football, basketball, as well as dozens of other sports and esports disciplines. The high level of 1xBet service for esports fans was recently recognised with a victory at the prestigious 2020 SBC Awards in the “Esports Operator of the Year” category. Visit 1XBET here

Since its beginnings in 1838, Knorr has been passionate about better cooking and eating. Following that tradition, Knorr has entered the world of gaming as the go-to fuel for gamers, esports athletes, and the streaming community. As the 5th most chosen FMCG brand globally (according to Kantar World Panel), Knorr proudly stands as Unilever’s largest food brand - committed to making good food accessible to all. Knorr products are sold in over 90 countries around the world and are being chosen 3.1 billion times annually across 379 million households. With 95% of the vegetables and herbs used being sustainably sourced, Knorr increasingly prioritizes ingredients grown following regenerative agriculture principles. Visit Knorr here

Noodle nostalgia, a British staple since the 70s, and as Pot Noodle we’ve been serving it up to the British nation for over 40 years. Being there for anyone and everyone that wants a bit of noodle-y goodness in their life, refuelling them to do whatever it is that makes them happy – that’s what we’re all about. Life’s too short to be spent twiddling your thumbs… If you're hungry and looking for a quick, convenient, and tasty solution, we've got the noodles for you. Visit POT noodle here

About Molkerei Alois Müller GmbH & Co. KG Founded in 1896 by Ludwig Müller, the former village dairy developed into a modern large dairy from the time it was taken over by Theo Müller in 1971. Around 140 million kg of milk are now processed into high-quality dairy products at the Alois Müller dairy's Swabian headquarters. In many product groups, Müller has created a market with numerous innovations in the first place. For example, buttermilk, kefir, Müller Corner, Müller Rice or the flavoured Müllermilch. The company still holds top positions in these segments. The Müller brand is almost 100 percent well known and practically everyone in Germany knows the slogan: "Alles Müller, oder was?" ("Müller, what else?").

Spotify transformed music listening forever when it launched in 2008. Discover, manage and share over 82 million tracks, including more than 4 million podcast titles, for free, or upgrade to Spotify Premium to access exclusive features for music including improved sound quality and an on-demand, offline, and ad-free music listening experience. Today, Spotify is the world’s most popular audio streaming subscription service with 422m users, including 182m subscribers, across 183 markets.

Logitech G, a brand of Logitech, is a global leader dedicated to serving the needs of Gamers and Creators with award-winning hardware, software, and solutions. Logitech G’s industry-leading products include keyboards, mice, headsets, mousepads, simulation products such as wheels and flight sticks, webcams, lights and microphones, and specialized furniture solutions; all made possible through innovative design, advanced technologies and a deep passion for gaming and creator communities. Learn more at logitechg.com

Lenovo (HKSE: 992) (ADR: LNVGY) is a US$60 billion revenue Fortune Global 500 company serving customers in 180 markets around the world. Focused on a bold vision to deliver smarter technology for all, we are developing world-changing technologies that power (through devices and infrastructure) and empower (through solutions, services, and software) millions of customers every day and together create a more inclusive, trustworthy, and sustainable digital society for everyone, everywhere. To find out more about Lenovo visit https://www.lenovo.com or https://www.lenovo.com/legion

The mission of the United States Air Force is to fly, fight and win – airpower anytime, anywhere. For 2022, the Air Force Recruiting Service is hiring over 26,000 new Airmen. An emphasis is on recruiting people with no prior military service into one of over 130 enlisted career opportunities. The Air Force recruits to retain, so we recruit the best and brightest candidates possible, then provide them with tough, highly technical training that gives them the right skills to sustain the combat capability of America’s Air Force. For more information about Air Force benefits and opportunities, go to airforce.com

Based in Corona, California, Monster Energy is the leading marketer of energy drinks and alternative beverages. Refusing to acknowledge the traditional, Monster Energy supports the scene. Monster Energy is a brand that believes in authenticity and is the core of what its sports, athletes, eSports athletes and musicians represent. More than a drink, it’s the way of life lived by athletes, sports, bands, gamers, believers and fans. See more about Monster Energy including all of its drinks at monsterenergy.com and monsterenergy.com/gaming

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