Cologne is Finally Getting a Counter-Strike Major

Fans Go Crazy Over Cologne Major Announcement
I was in the crowd at LANXESS Arena when the announcement dropped after the IEM Cologne 2025 Grand Final and the place exploded. They had been asking for it all weekend long and finally the fans got their wish! That’s right, the very first Counter-Strike Major of 2026 will be held in Cologne.

For the first time in a decade, the Cathedral of Counter-Strike will host the biggest event in the game. And to think that the Intel Extreme Masters was a big deal! The roof of LANXESS arena is going to be blown off for sure! It all takes place next year, June 2 to 21. The playoffs are held between June 18 and June 21. The best 32 teams in the world will descend once again on Cologne to battle it out for a $1.25 million prize pool, a Major title, and a shot at Counter-Strike glory.

The invites will be based on the Valve Regional Standings (VRS), with the final list dropping after the first update in April. Four stages, three weeks of action, and one final champion. ESL is going all out too. We’ll be getting an extra day of live play, and they’ve promised more ways to interact, as well as a setup that’s built to give every single fan goosebumps. Whether you’re in the pit with a jersey and a beer or streaming from the action from home, this is going to be THE event of 2026.

IEM Cologne has always been iconic. Just check out our latest on IEM Cologne 2025. But now? It’s even bigger. And if you’ve never screamed your lungs out in LANXESS with 18,000 other people, this will be your chance. Get your squad ready and book the flights to see it all go down.