First 2026 CS2 Major date and location revealed

Counter-Strike 2 has held its coveted IEM tournaments in multiple large cities, but most would agree that those set in Cologne set the bar for others to follow. With the IEMs for 2025 finally coming to an end, fans are already wondering where 2026’s first Major will take place, and we now know.

According to an official announcement by Valve, the first CS2 Major of 2026 will take place in Cologne, marking the first time the tournament has come to Cologne in a decade. With multiple fans and countries expected to attend, it’s already shaping up to be a blast for CS2 fans worldwide.

Without any further delays, here’s where you can expect the first CS2 Major of 2026 to take place.

IEM Cologne announced as CS2’s first Major of 2026

ESL and Valve have officially announced that the Intel Extreme Masters Cologne Major will be the first CS2 Major of 2026 ^[1], set to run from June 2 to 21 in Cologne, Germany. This marks the tournament's return to the city for the first time in a decade.

A total of 32 teams will qualify based on Valve Regional Standings (VRS), with invites influenced by performances at the 2025 Winter Major. The VRS will be updated in April 2026 to finalize the list of teams. The Major will follow a four-stage format, ending with the Playoffs in LANXESS Arena from June 18 to 21.

This will be ESL’s 11th Counter-Strike Major, and the 24th Major overall. Teams will compete for a $1.25 million prize pool, along with a chance to secure an ESL Grand Slam point. More than 50,000 fans from over 70 countries are expected to attend.

Cologne has previously hosted three Majors, with champions including SK Gaming, Fnatic, and Ninjas in Pyjamas. It’s also home to some of the most iconic plays in CS history, such as s1mple’s no-scope and olofmeister’s defuse.

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References

1. [1] "Official IEM announcement". pro.eslgaming.com. Retrieved August 05, 2025