Intel Extreme Masters Cologne Major 2026 Preview: Can Anyone Stop Vitality?

The French Team Vitality won both CS2 Majors in 2025 and are ready to match the record of the legendary Astralis roster in Cologne, which became champions three times in a row. In this 1xBet review, we look at who can compete with the main favorites of the IEM Cologne Major 2026.

Key tournament details

The prize pool of the IEM Cologne Major 2026 will be $1,250,000, and the competition will be held in four stages:

• Stage 1 (June 2-5)
• Stage 2 (June 6-9)
• Stage 3 (June 11-15)
• Playoffs (June 18-21)

The first three stages will be played in a Swiss system: a squad needs three wins to advance to the next stage, and three losses to be eliminated. In the playoffs, teams will compete in a single-elimination format with no room for mistakes. The Major winners will receive $500,000 in prize money, while the runners-up will get $170,000. There is no third-place match, so the semifinalists will each receive $80,000.

All 32 participants were selected based on the Valve ranking as of early April and divided into three stages according to their position. The first stage includes 16 lowest-seeded teams, which will compete for eight spots in the next stage. There, they will be joined by eight higher-ranked squads, and the process will repeat.

The most exciting matches will traditionally start in the third stage, when the top eight rosters enter the competition: Team Vitality, NAVI, Team Falcons, The MongolZ, PARIVISION, Aurora, FURIA, and MOUZ. Two lineups from this elite group, The MongolZ and Aurora, are partners of the international brand 1xBet.

Tournament favorites

Two months have passed since the IEM Cologne Major 2026 invitations were issued, so the balance of power has changed significantly. A top four group of title contenders has emerged among the participants:

• Team Vitality is the main favorite for the Major, having maintained outstanding shape for a year and a half and showing no signs of slowing down. The French side has started the new season strongly, winning five big competitions. The roster’s main star, AWPer ZywOo, is performing at an exceptional level, and only a miracle could stop the Bees from defending their title as reigning champions.
• NAVI is one of the few teams capable of putting up real resistance to Vitality. The best coach in modern Counter-Strike, B1ad3, has built another winning roster, integrating a standout academy graduate, makazze. Meanwhile, the young AWPer w0nderful has finally found confidence, earning his first career MVP award at the recent IEM Atlanta 2026.
• Team Falcons is a star-studded roster featuring NiKo, m0NESY, and kyousuke, strengthened its lineup just before the Major by adding the highly experienced in-game leader karrigan from FaZe Clan. Previously, the Falcons lost eight out of nine grand finals, clearly lacking composure and self-belief. If karrigan can instill a winning mentality in a short period, they could finally secure their first Major title.

• Team Spirit is the only team from the top four that will start the Major from the second stage. After the captain chopper’s departure and other roster changes, they went through a noticeable downturn. However, the players have recently returned to strong shape, winning the PGL Astana 2026 tournament. Danil “donk” Kryshkovets deserves special attention – the Dragons’ best player is showing a level of performance worthy of a Major victory.

The list of contenders for the IEM Cologne Major 2026 title also includes The MongolZ, Aurora, FURIA, MOUZ, PARIVISION, and FUT Esports. Their chances of reaching the playoffs are quite high, but they can only become champions if one of the top four teams slips up early.

Follow the matches of the IEM Cologne Major 2026 on the 1xBet platform, where full match statistics, live streams, and generous tournament promos are available.