IEM Cologne Major 2026
The first CS2 Major in Cologne. The last Major Cologne hosted was 2016, CS:GO era. Twenty teams entered. This one has 32 and a $1.25M pool.
Coming soon. Check back later!
Will Vitality Win IEM Cologne?
All 32 teams by stage entry, set on April VRS rankings.
Three Swiss stages, then single-elimination playoffs. Top 8 from Legends make the bracket.
| Stage | Format | Advance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening | Swiss, BO1/BO3 | Top 8 to Challengers | Widest skill gaps in the field |
| Challengers | Swiss, BO1/BO3 | Top 8 to Legends | Competition tightens, fewer obvious mismatches |
| Legends | Swiss, all BO3 | Top 8 to Playoffs | Highest quality field, deepest Kalshi liquidity |
| Playoffs | Single elim, BO5 final | Winner takes trophy | Tournament winner market most active here |
The platforms we use and recommend for Cologne.
The only legal prediction market in all 50 US states. Tournament winner and per-game contracts open before June 2. Daily picks throughout Cologne on the Kalshi CS2 hub.
Most comprehensive CS2 pick'em coverage. Kill props on most starting players for every Cologne slate. Code SKILL for the new-user bonus.
Legal in California and Texas where Sleeper and PrizePicks are not. Kill pick'em on every Cologne slate. Code SKILL at sign-up.
Live player ratings scored 0–99 for every Cologne slate. Form, matchup, win probability baked in. The fastest read on who to back today.
Straight answers on Cologne 2026.
June 2 through June 21. Opening Stage tips off June 2, grand final June 21. LANXESS Arena in Cologne.
Vitality at 57% on Polymarket. Falcons second at 12%, NaVi and Spirit tied at 6%. Full ladder above. See the CS2 futures page for the 32-team market.
Three Swiss stages (Opening, Challengers, Legends) into a single-elim bracket. Top 8 from Legends advance. BO5 grand final.
Kalshi for prediction markets (all 50 states). Sleeper for kill pick'em (30+ states). Betr Picks if you're in CA or TX. Daily picks throughout Cologne on the Kalshi CS2 hub.
Game of Skill's CS2 player rating system. Every player in a slate gets a 0–99 score based on form, matchup, and win probability. Ratings publish at gameofskill.gg/carnage before each stage.