ESL Announces IEM Cologne Major 2026

Counter-Strike’s most iconic trophy has just gotten better. Following the conclusion of the 2025 IEM Cologne Grand Finals, ESL announced the return of the Major to the Cathedral of Counter-Strike.

Starting August 18th, the LANXESS Arena will host the top eight Counter-Strike teams for the first Major of 2026.

A Return After 8 years

Last time Cologne hosted the Major, the Brazilian SK led by FalleN took down s1mple and Team Liquid 2-0 in the Grand Finals to win back-to-back trophies. The famous s1mple-dropping shot on Cache was also in Cologne.

The tournament also marked a change of eras for Counter-Strike, with new faces flooding the scene and the game getting more tactical with some of the most impactful roster changes — Karrigan to FaZe, S1mple to Natus Vincere, Gla1ve as the IGL of Astralis — following the Major.

What to Expect from the Cologne Major?

It will be hard to predict what teams will attend the Major or what their rosters will look like, but the crowd and the atmosphere at LANXESS never disappoints.

Cologne, especially the Major, has witnessed some of the most amazing Counter-Strike moments, and the 2026 version will not disappoint.

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Featured Image Credits: ESL

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