- IEM Krakow 2026 overview
- Format and schedule
- All invited teams: full list
- Play-In stage teams
- s1mple and BC.Game Esports: the big storyline
- Astralis and other key roster shuffles
- Group Stage elite teams
- Teams to watch and underdogs
- CS2 skins and the fan experience
- Predictions and final thoughts
IEM Krakow 2026 overview
Intel Extreme Masters is starting a new chapter in 2026. For the first time in the circuit’s history, the legendary Polish stop moves from Katowice to Krakow, bringing top-tier Counter-Strike 2 action to a new arena and a fresh crowd. From January 28 to February 8, the world’s best rosters will battle for a prestigious IEM trophy, ESL Pro Tour points, and an early lead in the 2026 CS2 season.
Invites for IEM Krakow 2026 are based on teams’ placements in the VRS Global rankings in January 2026. That means you’re getting a field stacked with consistent, high-performing lineups rather than one-off qualifiers. On top of that, the tournament arrives shortly after the Budapest Major 2025, so storylines and rivalries are still fresh.
One of the biggest narratives is obvious: Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev’s return to the IEM stage with his new squad, BC.Game Esports. But he’s far from the only talking point. Astralis has been rebuilt, G2 finds itself stuck in Play-In, and previous underdogs like B8 and Passion UA are now regular threats instead of feel-good flukes.
Format and schedule
To understand the stakes for each invited team, it helps to break down how IEM Krakow 2026 is structured. While exact format details can shift slightly between IEM events, the overall flow remains familiar for CS2 fans.
Tournament dates
The event runs from January 28 to February 8, 2026. That includes:
- Play-In stage – early days of the event, where lower-seeded squads fight for a Group Stage spot.
- Group Stage – where the top seeds start their run and the Play-In survivors join them.
- Playoffs – the arena matches in front of a live Krakow crowd to crown the champion.
Most invited teams will have already warmed up at BLAST Bounty Winter 2026, taking place January 13–25 with online qualifiers and studio LAN playoffs. That event should give us an early read on form before Krakow kicks off.
Play-In vs Group Stage
Teams are split into two main categories:
- Direct Group Stage invites – the true tier-one core, seeded high based on performance and rankings.
- Play-In teams – squads that still need to win a few matches to secure their place among the elite.
The Play-In portion is often where chaos happens. Newly assembled rosters, regional dark horses, and former top dogs on the comeback trail all clash in a compressed schedule. Historically, it’s the stage that produces the most upsets, shock eliminations, and breakout runs.
All invited teams: full list
Below is a structured overview of the organizations invited to IEM Krakow 2026, grouped by the stage in which they will begin their journey.
Play-In teams overview
The following squads start from the Play-In and must battle their way into the Group Stage:
- Aurora Gaming
- Team Liquid
- HEROIC
- Passion UA
- B8
- 3DMAX
- paiN Gaming
- BC.Game Esports
- Legacy
- Astralis
- FUT Esports
- NRG
- G2 Esports
- PARIVISION
- Ninjas in Pyjamas
- GamerLegion
Group Stage teams overview
These teams are seeded directly into the Group Stage and will not have to play through the Play-In bracket:
- FURIA
- Natus Vincere
- Team Vitality
- MOUZ
- Team Falcons
- FaZe Clan
- Team Spirit
- The MongolZ
This combination of established title contenders, rebuilt legacy brands, and hungry outsiders is exactly what makes IEM Krakow 2026 one of the most anticipated CS2 tournaments of the year.
Play-In stage teams
The Play-In is where most of the volatility lies. A single good or bad day can completely change a team’s tournament trajectory. Let’s highlight some of the most interesting storylines among the Play-In participants.
Aurora Gaming and Legacy: a redemption arc
Aurora Gaming and Legacy both had frustrating campaigns at the StarLadder Boston Major 2025, falling short of the expectations set by their earlier performances. During the off-season, both organizations made roster moves and invested in coaching and support staff.
IEM Krakow becomes their first real stress test with updated lineups. A strong Play-In run could reset community perception and prove that their Boston stumbles were just that – stumbles, not a long-term decline.
G2 Esports stuck in Play-In
Seeing G2 Esports listed as a Play-In squad is a reminder of how tough 2025 was for the roster. Inconsistency plagued them throughout the season: big wins were followed by shocking exits, and their star power didn’t always translate into deep tournament runs.
IEM Krakow offers G2 a chance to reset the narrative. If they dominate the Play-In, it could restore some fear factor before Group Stage. If they stumble again, pressure on both players and staff will only increase.
Team Liquid and paiN Gaming: favorites in the Play-In field
Team Liquid and paiN Gaming enter the Play-In as two of the most credible contenders to qualify. Bookmakers and analytics both give them solid odds to advance, based on:
- Stable core lineups with clear roles.
- Recent respectable showings against tier-one opposition.
- Experience in high-pressure qualifier formats.
For Liquid in particular, Krakow is a chance to prove that their current structure around experienced figures like Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski still has championship potential in CS2, not just nostalgia value from CS:GO.
Budapest underdogs return: B8, Passion UA, and 3DMAX
B8, Passion UA, and 3DMAX were three of the standout underdog stories from the Budapest Major 2025. Each of them managed to punch above their seeding, taking maps and series off better-known organizations.
Krakow is the next step in their evolution. The question now is whether those runs were one-off surprises or the beginning of these teams cementing themselves as permanent fixtures in the tier-two/low tier-one space. Their progression through the Play-In will tell us a lot.
s1mple and BC.Game Esports: the big storyline
The single most attention-grabbing invite among the Play-In teams is undoubtedly BC.Game Esports, due to one name: Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev.
BC.Game’s roster rebuild
BC.Game Esports earned their IEM Krakow slot through strong placements in VRS Global. After securing that spot, the organization took a bold step and rebuilt the roster around s1mple, reportedly bringing in three players from SAW and reshaping the team’s identity.
On paper, this gives s1mple a mix of:
- Reliable structured riflers used to disciplined mid-round play.
- Fresh tactical ideas from a different regional ecosystem.
- A relatively low-ego environment built to empower a superstar AWPer and playmaker.
All eyes will be on how quickly this lineup can build synergy. IEM Krakow 2026 may arrive slightly early for a fully polished product, but even a half-ready s1mple-led roster is terrifying in a high-variance Play-In format.
s1mple’s legacy and pressure
s1mple’s presence automatically raises the expectations placed on BC.Game Esports. Fans don’t just want to see him in the Group Stage – they want highlight reels, multi-kill rounds, and deep bracket runs. At the same time, the community understands he’s playing with a relatively new core, so Krakow is likely to be judged as much on trajectory as on pure results.
If BC.Game manages to qualify convincingly from the Play-In, every Group Stage team will silently hope they avoid them early. A motivated s1mple with something to prove remains one of the most dangerous players in CS2.
Astralis and other key roster shuffles
IEM Krakow also serves as a debut or early test for several rebuilt lineups, with Astralis at the center of attention.
Astralis after the Budapest Major
Following the Budapest Major, Astralis went through a serious identity shift:
- Nicolai “dev1ce” Reedtz left the team to join 100 Thieves.
- Emil “Magisk” Reif saw his contract expire and parted ways with the organization.
- Astralis brought in Love “phzy” Smidebrant and Gytis “ryu” Glušauskas as new additions.
These are not minor tweaks; this is a foundational rebuild. The squad now has to redefine its roles, leadership structure, and map pool. IEM Krakow is not just about results for them but about finding a functioning identity in CS2.
The expectation is that Astralis will show flashes of promise rather than immediate consistency. However, even a rebuilding Astralis can be deadly in best-of-one Play-In matches if their stars catch form.
Other notable change-heavy lineups
Aurora Gaming, Legacy, and several other Play-In teams have also gone through roster adjustments since their last big stage appearances. For fans, that means Krakow becomes a rare chance to get a clean, up-to-date snapshot of each org’s ambitions for 2026.
In many cases, these roster changes are aimed at solving issues exposed at the Boston and Budapest Majors: lack of mid-round calling depth, limited map pools, and problems closing out leads. Watch closely for:
- Who takes over in-game leading duties.
- How teams adapt to the evolving CS2 meta (especially utility and economy management).
- New star players stepping into space previously occupied by more established names.
Group Stage elite teams
While the Play-In offers volatility and surprise factor, the Group Stage is where the presumed favorites sit – and where the real battle for the IEM Krakow trophy will begin. Eight teams start here already one step ahead of the rest.
Team Vitality: chasing more history
Team Vitality enters IEM Krakow 2026 with sky-high confidence. They have just secured their second Major title in a row at the Budapest Major 2025, proving that their CS2 era is no fluke.
Goals for Vitality at Krakow include:
- Starting the 2026 season with another trophy to build momentum.
- Gaining an early lead in the race for ESL Grand Slam VI.
- Testing any fresh contenders that rose through the Play-In field.
If they maintain anything close to their Major form, Vitality will be one of the prime favorites to lift the trophy in Krakow.
FURIA and Natus Vincere: rivalry and redemption
FURIA had an excellent overall year in 2025 but stumbled at the worst possible time: the playoffs of the Budapest Major. That disappointment adds extra fuel for IEM Krakow, where they’ll be looking to show a more composed performance in playoff-pressure situations.
Natus Vincere (NAVI), meanwhile, have their own motivations. They’ve proven they can go toe-to-toe with Vitality and FURIA in big matches, but they’re still hunting for a defining CS2-era trophy that cements their new core as elite.
A NAVI vs FURIA rematch in Krakow would be one of the most hyped series of the tournament, especially if it happens in the playoffs with elimination on the line.
FaZe, MOUZ, Team Spirit and Team Falcons
FaZe Clan reached the grand final in Budapest and showed once again that their mix of experience, structure, and individual brilliance is good enough to go deep in any event. IEM Krakow will reveal whether they can turn deep runs into consistent titles again or if they’ll remain just one step short.
MOUZ continues to be one of the most well-drilled, system-focused teams in CS2, excelling at bringing out the best in emerging talent. In longer formats like the Group Stage, their discipline often pays off.
Team Spirit and Team Falcons both have the mechanical skill and tactical depth to beat anyone on a good day. For them, Krakow is more about consistency across the entire event than about proving ceiling; everyone already understands how dangerous they can be.
The MongolZ: the scary dark horse
The MongolZ represent one of the most exciting regional success stories in modern CS. They bring aggressive, fearless gameplay and a constantly improving tactical backbone. Starting from Group Stage, they avoid the randomness of Play-In and can focus entirely on building momentum against top-tier opposition.
Their style can upset even the most structured teams, especially early in a tournament before opponents fully adapt to their pace and reads.
Teams to watch and underdogs
Beyond the obvious title contenders, there are several squads that might not lift the trophy but could heavily influence the shape of the event through key upsets and deep surprise runs.
Potential breakthrough teams
Keep a close eye on:
- BC.Game Esports – if s1mple’s new roster clicks even partially, they can blast through Play-In and ruin someone’s Group Stage run.
- Team Liquid – veteran core with enough firepower and experience to upset higher seeds in best-of-three series.
- The MongolZ – a direct Group Stage entry that has the tools to shock even superteams.
Classic underdog stories in the making
On the underdog side, storylines almost write themselves:
- B8 – already proved at Budapest Major they can swing above their weight; a repeat performance in Krakow would move them from “underdog” to “respected regular.”
- Passion UA – energetic, mechanically gifted roster that feeds off momentum and crowd energy.
- 3DMAX – not the flashiest lineup, but they’ve shown they can grind out tense series and punish unprepared favorites.
In every IEM, there’s at least one bracket run nobody saw coming. Given the invited field, Krakow might deliver more than one.
CS2 skins and the fan experience
Big tournaments aren’t just about results and trophies. For many players and viewers, events like IEM Krakow 2026 are a time to refresh their in-game loadouts, flex new cosmetics, and enjoy the full spectacle of CS2 – from the stage to the server.
Skins as part of the show
At this level, it’s rare to see a pro player with a completely default loadout. CS2 skins have become part of the entertainment package: they appear in highlight clips, on broadcast camera cuts, and across social media whenever a star hits a massive flick or clutch.
Fans often look to their favorite pros for inspiration and then build or adjust inventories to match. You’ll regularly see viewers asking in chat what skin a player is using on their AK, M4, or AWP after a particularly flashy round.
Buying and selling skins during big events
Events like IEM Krakow tend to wake up the CS2 economy. More people are watching, trading, and experimenting with new looks, which means it’s a smart time to clean up dormant inventories or hunt for upgrades.
If you want to refresh your loadout before or during the event, you can explore dedicated marketplaces that focus on safety and convenience. For example, platforms like cs2 skins and csgo skins trading on UUSkins give players a way to:
- Quickly sell items they don’t use anymore.
- Pick up new weapon finishes that fit their favorite team’s colors or their personal style.
- Avoid some of the hassle of peer-to-peer trading by using a streamlined marketplace system.
Whether you’re copying the look of a star player from IEM Krakow or creating your own unique identity, a stable trading platform makes the whole process smoother and safer.
Skins as a long-term hobby
For many long-time CS players, collecting skins has turned into a side hobby that runs parallel to watching tournaments. They follow:
- How certain stickers and weapon finishes spike in popularity after big tournament performances.
- Which designs age well and hold value over multiple game updates.
- How shifts in the meta affect which weapons (and thus skins) are most in demand.
Major events like IEM Krakow often influence those trends, as new stars emerge and older ones reinvent themselves using different weapons or loadouts.
Predictions and final thoughts
IEM Krakow 2026 has all the ingredients of a classic CS2 event: a historic new city for the IEM circuit, a packed arena, returning legends, rebuilt rosters, and a mix of secure favorites and volatile underdogs.
Who are the title contenders?
Based on current form and results coming out of 2025, the top tier of favorites looks something like this:
- Team Vitality – back-to-back Major winners, the benchmark for everyone else.
- FaZe Clan – Budapest finalists with a proven ability to peak at the right time.
- FURIA and NAVI – both hungry to bounce back from Major disappointments and secure a statement trophy.
- MOUZ and Team Spirit – rock-solid systems and young stars that can blow games wide open.
If you’re looking strictly at probability, these are the lineups most likely to be playing on stage deep into the final days of the event.
Wildcards that can ruin brackets
Every IEM has wildcards capable of demolishing pick’ems and surprising analysts. For Krakow, those include:
- BC.Game Esports with s1mple – early synergy issues or not, no one wants to give him too much room in server.
- The MongolZ – stylistically uncomfortable for many structured teams.
- B8 / Passion UA / 3DMAX – teams that thrive when the opponent underestimates them even slightly.
Why Krakow really matters
Beyond the trophy itself, IEM Krakow 2026 is important for several reasons:
- It sets the tone for the 2026 CS2 season.
- It gives rebuilt lineups like Astralis and BC.Game an early chance to prove their new directions.
- It helps define the early race for ESL Grand Slam VI.
- It offers upcoming teams a high-visibility stage to attract fans, sponsors, and future opportunities.
Whether you care most about the tactical meta, the storylines around s1mple and other veterans, or just want an excuse to upgrade your inventory and grind ranked while watching top-tier CS2, IEM Krakow 2026 should be one of the calendar highlights.
As the event gets closer, keep an eye on roster news, early form at BLAST Bounty Winter 2026, and how teams adapt to the latest patches. The teams invited are locked in – now it’s all about who can turn that invite into a legacy-defining run in Krakow.
