IEM Cologne Major 2026 Opening Stage Day 1 Picks - June 2
The IEM Cologne Major 2026 kicks off the Opening Stage on Tuesday, June 2nd with eight high-stakes BO1 games. There will be 16 teams fighting for eight spots into the Challengers Stage.
THE GAMES
Let's dive right in. Percentages are approximate win probabilities based on available odds.
B8 vs TYLOO
B8 59% · TYLOO 41%
This should be a competitive matchup. Certainly don’t expect a walk in the park for B8 despite them being favored. npl has been excellent as one of the better fragging in-game leaders in CS recently, but JamYoung and company are highly talented on there other side.
Pick: B8 > TYLOO
Top Projection: npl
Top Leverage: JamYoung
BetBoom vs Gaimin Gladiators
BetBoom 72% · Gaimin Gladiators 28%
Even though BetBoom won’t have s1ren, I’m backing them to win in this BO1 against Gaimin Gladiators, one of the weakest squads at this major.
Pick: BetBoom > Gaimin Gladiators
Top Projection: Magnojez
Top Leverage: FL4MUS
BIG vs Liquid
BIG 56% · Liquid 44%
As enticing as it may look to back Liquid at this kind of number, I’m not sure I can do it. They’ve been struggling.
Pick: BIG > Liquid
Top Projection: blameF
Top Leverage: EliGE
GamerLegion vs NRG
GamerLegion 70% · NRG 30%
As one of the main favorites to advance to Stage 2 at the major, GamerLegion is widely expected to top NRG. That said, a best-of-one format gives the NA organization a chance.
Pick: GamerLegion > NRG
Top Projection: REZ
Top Leverage: Grim
HEROIC vs Sharks Esports
HEROIC 62% · Sharks 38%
Sharks are not an easy opponent, but HEROIC do have the advantage in talent. Chr1zN has done a nice job as the IGL so far.
Pick: HEROIC > Sharks
Top Projection: nilo
Top Leverage: doc
M80 vs Lynn Vision
M80 58% · Lynn Vision 42%
This could be an upset. I do like M80 and the team has picked up some nice wins, but they’ve also shown inconsistency, which is worrying in a BO1.
Pick: Lynn Vision > M80
Top Projection: z4KR
Top Leverage: Lake
MIBR vs THUNDERdOWNUNDER
MIBR 75% · THUNDERdOWNUNDER 25%
No chance I’m backing THUNDER. MIBR has been surging lately and should be able to win comfortably in the opener.
Pick: MIBR > THUNDER
Top Projection: insani
Top Leverage: kl1m
SINNERS vs FlyQuest
SINNERS 53% · FlyQuest 47%
This should be a close game. SINNERS have been performing at a high level to book their spot in Cologne, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see FlyQuest make things interesting.
Pick: SINNERS > FlyQuest
Top Projection: stressarN
Top Leverage: jks
Win probabilities are approximate and subject to change. Always check current numbers before locking decisions.
For player-level ratings check CARNAGE before games start. For game-level fair values see MARKET. The new tool, RANGE, shows outcome distributions on a player and team level. For the full event hub see IEM Cologne Major 2026.
Good luck!