Intel Extreme Masters Returns to Cologne as a Major in 2026, Team Spirit Won IEM Cologne 2025
Following Team Spirit's victory in the IEM Cologne 2025 final, the ESL Faceit Group announced that the Intel Extreme Masters 2026 will return to Cologne as a Major.
With the conclusion of the Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Cologne 2025 tournament on Sunday, won by Team Spirit, the stage was set for the announcement that Intel Extreme Masters Cologne will host a Counter-Strike Major in 2026. This event will take place from 2 to 21 June 2026, marking a return for the Major to Cologne after a decade. A Major is the largest and most important championship tournament in Counter-Strike esports and is directly and officially supported by Valve.
"IEM Cologne has established itself as a cornerstone of competitive Counter-Strike, with each edition featuring the best teams, unmatched energy, and the best crowd. Bringing the Major back to Cologne after a decade is a celebration of everything IEM Cologne stands for. With an extra day of live competition and more ways to connect with the fans, we look forward to making it unforgettable for the Counter-Strike community." - Marc Winther, Director Game Ecosystems - Counter-Strike at ESL Faceit Group
Next summer, 32 of the world's best teams will compete for a share of the $1,250,000 prize pool and a valuable ESL Grand Slam Point. The IEM Cologne Major Playoffs will take place over four days at the Lanxess Arena. More than 50,000 fans from over 70 countries are expected to attend in person, with millions more tuning in via broadcasts in over 20 languages.
This announcement followed IEM Cologne 2025, which took place from 23 July to 3 August. Team Spirit emerged victorious in the Grand Final against Mouz, winning 3:0. Team Spirit earned the Championship trophy, the lion's share of the $1,250,000 in total winnings, and their first ESL Grand Slam VI point. IEM Cologne 2025 attracted over 41,000 attendees to the sold-out Lanxess Arena over three days. According to escharts.com, the tournament had a global audience of 1,076,030 peak viewers.
