Counter-Strike 2 Tournament in Krakow, Poland

The upcoming installment in the well-received IEM series of the Counter-Strike video game is scheduled to take place in Krakow, Poland. This is the first instance in which Krakow will play host, taking over for the series’ traditional location, Katowice. The tournament boasts twenty-four of the top teams in Counter-Strike 2 competing against each other in a exciting match-ups.

About IEM Krakow 2026

The competition, dubbed IEM Krakow 2026, is an internationally recognized Intel Extreme Masters Counter-Strike event that will replace IEM Katowice. This version will feature not only twenty four elite teams who are preparing to lock horns, but will also include a multi-stage format and a large, live audience at the grand TAURON Arena in Krakow.

ESL, or Esports League, positions IEM Krakow as the rightful successor to IEM Katowice, continuing the tradition and legacy of nearly two decades of thrilling IEM competition. ESL and the city of Krakow are committed to a multi-year agreement aimed at making IEM Krakow a recurrent feature on the global Counter Strike 2 calendar.

Tournament Dates, Location, and Teams

The main tournament is set to occur from January 28 until February 8, 2026. The city of Krakow will be prepared for the influx of fans, especially during the final phase of the competition, with the playoffs taking place in the TAURON Arena from February 6-8.

The selection of the twenty four participating teams was based on the Valve Regional Standings (VRS). These teams include high-profile teams such as FURIA, Team Vitality, Team Falcons, and Team Spirit among several others.

Tournament Structure

The tournament is designed to follow a three-part structure of play-ins, group stages, and playoffs. The play-in stage, which is also known as Stage 1, will be held from January 28-30. Here, 16 teams will compete in a double-elimination bracket where the top 8 will proceed to the Group Stage, also known as Stage 2.

Stage 2 will span from January 31 through February 5 and will feature 16 teams that have been divided into two double-elimination groups. The top 3 of every group will advance to the playoff round.

The single-elimination playoff round with its 6 participating teams will consist of two quarterfinals, two semifinals, and one grand final. The highly anticipated playoffs are going to be played at the TAURON Arena in front of a live audience from February 6-8. All matches except the grand final will be played in a best-of-three format. The grand final will be a best-of-five series.

Prize Pool and ESL Pro Tour

The total prize pool for the event is reported to be around $1,250,000, which is a substantial sum consistent with the high stakes of the international tournament. The competition will also count towards ESL Grand Slam Season VI which makes it more than just another win for its victorious participants.

Placing in the 2026 CS2 Season

IEM Krakow 2026 is one of the premier Counter-Strike 2 events of the year, rubbing shoulders with the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 and various BLAST events. It’s not only the first significant LAN-based competition of 2026 but also a key proving ground for many fresh or updated rosters.