IEM Kraków 2026 Final Result

Team Vitality won IEM Kraków 2026 by defeating FURIA 3-1 in the grand final at TAURON Arena in Kraków, Poland. The championship match lasted four maps. FURIA took the first map, but Vitality answered with three straight wins to close the series. The event featured Counter-Strike 2 with a total prize pool of $1,000,000. This is Vitality’s first major title of 2026 and their second straight IEM trophy on Polish soil after winning IEM Katowice 2025. The result also strengthened Vitality’s position as the number one team in the Valve Regional Standings, placing them ahead of FURIA.

The grand final was held in front of a live crowd at TAURON Arena. It was the event’s first grand final played with spectators on site.

Series Format and Map Order

The grand final was a best-of-five with the map order set as Mirage, Inferno, Nuke, and Overpass. FURIA struck first on Mirage. Vitality then won Inferno, Nuke, and Overpass to secure the trophy. The way each map played out showed clear shifts in control and momentum across the series.

On Mirage, FURIA edged out a 13-11 victory. Their early aggression created openings, and they managed their economy well enough to convert key rounds. That narrow win gave them a 1-0 lead in the series and put pressure on Vitality to respond on the next map.

On Inferno, Vitality answered with a 13-8 win. They controlled space with firm defensive holds and clean rotations. Their economy stayed stable, which allowed them to keep utility up and avoid reset traps. This tied the series at 1-1 and steadied Vitality after the opening loss.

On Nuke, Vitality dominated 13-2. A 10-2 lead at halftime on the CT side removed most doubt about the map’s outcome. The result flipped the momentum of the match and placed Vitality one win away from the trophy.

On Overpass, Vitality closed the series with a 13-10 win. FURIA mounted a fight that included a 1v2 clutch by KSCERATO. Vitality trailed 6-9 at one point on the T side but rallied late, converting key rounds to finish the map and the final. The comeback sealed the 3-1 series score.

Standout Performances

ZywOo delivered the top individual showing for Vitality. He ended the tournament with a 1.59 rating, which is his highest in a winning LAN campaign. It also stands as the second-highest mark in IEM Winter history, behind Donk’s 1.70 at IEM Katowice 2024. His consistency across the event gave Vitality reliable impact in both opening duels and round-closing moments.

Paths to the Grand Final

Vitality’s route to the title included a semifinal win over MOUZ. Leadership from apEX helped settle the team in tight moments, and ZywOo’s AWP work was a steady factor in their advances. The team also sought to atone for a previous setback against FURIA, who had swept them 3-0 in the grand final of IEM Chengdu 2025. The victory in Kraków served as a measured response to that loss.

FURIA’s path required resilience after an early group-stage defeat to FUT Esports. They stayed alive by beating The MongolZ and NAVI in the lower bracket. In the playoffs, they overcame Aurora and Team Spirit. Their T-side strength on Nuke was a standout part of that run. By the time they reached the grand final, they had shown the ability to adjust and improve through the event.

Both teams entered Kraków as leading contenders after results at BLAST Bounty Winter. The tournament helped set the tone for early 2026 CS2 form and hinted at the hierarchy teams might carry toward the IEM Cologne Major.

Prize Pool and Placements

The $1,000,000 prize pool was distributed across the field. Team Vitality earned $400,000 for first place. FURIA received $180,000 for second place. Team Spirit finished third and took home $100,000. MOUZ placed fourth and earned $60,000.

Aurora Gaming and G2 Esports both placed in the 5th–6th range, receiving $40,000 each. Astralis and Team Falcons finished 7th–8th, each earning $24,000. Natus Vincere, FUT Esports, FaZe Clan, and 3DMAX rounded out the 9th–12th positions, with each team receiving $16,000.

What the Result Means

Vitality’s win confirms their strong start to the 2026 season. It reinforces their top spot in the Valve Regional Standings and gives them a second major IEM trophy in Poland in back-to-back years. That track record suggests they are well prepared for upcoming events and are likely to remain a benchmark team as the season develops.

For FURIA, the performance shows they can recover from early setbacks and still reach the final stages. The result builds on their run through the lower bracket and adds important ranking points. The series also flipped the outcome of their last grand final meeting with Vitality, indicating a rivalry with changing momentum.

IEM Kraków 2026 provided a clear look at current form for top CS2 teams. With a four-map final decided by adjustments, economy control, and late-round composure, the event offered useful lessons ahead of the IEM Cologne Major and the rest of the 2026 calendar.