IEM Cologne Major 2026: Stages Recap and Playoffs Preview
Mid-air Deagle kill, unbelievable comeback, and exhausting triple overtime. Undoubtedly, the Intel Extreme Masters Cologne Major 2026 will be among the most discussed tournaments in the Counter-Strike community for months. At the same time, for now we’ve only seen Stages, which means the Playoffs promise to be even more intense and exciting. If you missed the beginning of the IEM Cologne Major 2026, be sure to check our material to see exactly what we went through over the last two weeks!
In article you will find:
IEM Cologne Major 2026
While it’s not over yet, it’s worth noting that the Intel Extreme Masters Cologne Major 2026, or simply IEM Cologne Major 2026, is the fifth Counter-Strike 2 Major Championship and the twenty-fourth Counter-Strike Major overall. Also, the tournament features a USD 1.25 million prize pool.
No less important detail is that there are 32 teams, which we already saw in all Stages. The interesting fact is that all of them were directly invited according to their Valve Regional Standings (VRS). Still, only eight of them are going to the Playoffs. But let’s avoid spoilers and begin with Stage 1.
Stage 1
Sixteen teams were participating in Stage 1. And, of course, only eight of them advanced to the next group stage. The first two rounds featured a Bo1 match format, meaning there was no room for errors. Still, in the rounds 3rd, 4th, and 5th, we already had exciting Bo3 matches between the participants. And, undoubtedly, many of them were completely unpredictable.
You can see the results of Stage 1 below:
| Team | Won | Lost | Qualification |
| B8 | 3 | 0 | Qualificationto Stage 2 |
| BetBoom Team | 3 | 0 | |
| GamerLegion | 3 | 1 | |
| M80 | 3 | 1 | |
| MIBR | 3 | 1 | |
| TYLOO | 3 | 2 | |
| BIG | 3 | 2 | |
| FlyQuest | 3 | 2 | |
| Team Liquid | 2 | 3 | Eliminated |
| NRG | 2 | 3 | |
| Lynn Vision Gaming | 2 | 3 | |
| THUNDERdOWNUNDER | 1 | 3 | |
| Sharks Esports | 1 | 3 | |
| HEROIC | 1 | 3 | |
| Gaimin Gladiators | 0 | 3 | |
| SINNERS Esports | 0 | 3 |
Of course, we should also mention the most noticeable highlights from Stage 1:
- 1v3 clutch from Mercury.
- A triple kill from NPL in a 2v4 situation.
- A kill with a smoke from hypex.
- A quad kill from Snax.
- Mid-air Deagle kill from ultimate.
- A ninja defuse from tabseN.
- The most unbelievable, first-ever 12-0 to 12-12 comeback in CS2 Major history, from BIG against NRG.
- Bonus: BIG won the Bo3 against NRG thanks to a comeback, 12:16.
Stage 2
Similar to Stage 1, in Stage 2, all matches were Bo1 (rounds 1st and 2nd), while Elimination and Advancement matches were Bo3 (rounds 3rd, 4th, and 5th). Also, it’s important to note that this group stage included sixteen participants, with eight winners from the previous Stage.
Here are the results of Stage 2:
| Team | Won | Lost | Qualification |
| FUT Esports | 3 | 0 | Qualificationto Stage 3 |
| Team Spirit | 3 | 0 | |
| G2 Esports | 3 | 1 | |
| BetBoom Team | 3 | 1 | |
| 9z Team | 3 | 1 | |
| Monte | 3 | 2 | |
| B8 | 3 | 2 | |
| Legacy | 3 | 2 | |
| TYLOO | 2 | 3 | Eliminated |
| BIG | 2 | 3 | |
| paiN Gaming | 2 | 3 | |
| M80 | 1 | 3 | |
| MIBR | 1 | 3 | |
| Astralis | 1 | 3 | |
| FlyQuest | 0 | 3 | |
| GamerLegion | 0 | 3 |
But what about the most eye-catching moments from Stage 2? Undoubtedly, there were such highlights:
- An entry from jks.
https://twitter.com/ESLCS/status/2063212432462585915
- Eco round from Astralis against Full buy from GamerLegion.
- Double kill with one shot from SunPayus.
- A quad kill from Krabeni.
- A perfect nade kill from AZUWU.
- A quad kill from Vexite.
- A quad kill from s1zzi.
Stage 3
In Stage 3, all matches, unlike in previous stages, were Bo3. While it creates a room for mistakes, the results are still no less unpredictable. Moreover, this time we saw the most unexpected twists, even with the top teams.
For example, the match of Team Vitality against 9z Team shares one of such moments, along with ruining most users’ Pick’em. While the French team easily defeated their opponents on Inferno, they lost on Mirage and then on Dust II. Moreover, 9z had the chance to eliminate Team Spirit and secure a playoff spot. At the same time, after the victory on Overpass in overtime, they allowed Spirits to make an overtime comeback on both Mirage and Dust II. Without a doubt, the Playoffs could look completely different.
As always, let’s check the results of Stage 3 below:
| Team | Won | Lost | Qualification |
| Team Spirit | 3 | 0 | Qualificationto Playoffs |
| FURIA | 3 | 0 | |
| Aurora Gaming | 3 | 1 | |
| Team Vitality | 3 | 1 | |
| Team Falcons | 3 | 1 | |
| BetBoom Team | 3 | 2 | |
| 9z Team | 3 | 2 | |
| G2 Esports | 3 | 2 | |
| Natus Vincere | 2 | 3 | Eliminated |
| FUT Esports | 2 | 3 | |
| The MongolZ | 2 | 3 | |
| MOUZ | 1 | 3 | |
| Monte | 1 | 3 | |
| Legacy | 1 | 3 | |
| B8 | 0 | 3 | |
| PARIVISION | 0 | 3 |
If you want to see the most exciting highlights, then Stage 3 is the perfect choice. Well, at least until we see the Playoffs. Still, it’s better not to miss the following moments:
- A quad kill with AWP from 910.
- An ace from ZywOo.
- An entry and triple kill from apEX.
- A triple kill from YEKINDAR.
- A Deagle triple kill from HeavyGod.
- A triple kill from iM.
- A quad kill from NiKo.
Conclusion
The Stages are already over, and it’s time to prepare for the Playoffs. With teams such as Vitality, Spirit, Falcons, and G2, we definitely will see even more exciting moments. At the same time, there is no good news for NaVi, FUT, and The MongolZ fans. These teams, while showing good results, were eliminated in Stage 3. However, now is the perfect moment for the fiercest battles.
Also, remember that you have a chance to win together with your favorite team. Make correct predictions, earn points, and obtain eye-catching skins by participating in CS2 Pick’em on Hellcase!
Tonya Predko is an esports personality, influencer, and content creator best known for her work with NAVI. With a strong background in hosting, interviews, and gaming content, she brings an insider’s view of the esports scene to every story. On the Hellcase blog, Tonya shares her take on CS2 culture, skins, tournaments, and the moments that make gaming communities so exciting.
