The ESL tournament organizer will host the first Major CS2 of 2026-IEM Cologne 2026. The announcement was given immediately after the IEM Cologne 2025 final, where Team Spirit defeated Mouz 3-0 to win the championship.

The tournament is expected to take place from June 8 to June 21, 2026, bringing together 32 leading teams in the world, with a total bonus of 1,250,000 USD. Despite the full details of the formula and location of the unpublished rounds, ESL confirms the playoffs will take place from June 18 to 21 in Lanxess Arena, Cologne, Germany-the venue dubbed the "Counter-Strike's cathedral".

According to the official schedule:

June 18 (Thursday): The first 2 quarterfinals

June 19 (Friday): 2 remaining quarterfinals

June 20 (Saturday): 2 semi -finals

June 21 (Sunday): Total finals

Earlier, the second Major CS2 of 2025 will be Starladder Budapest Major 2025, taking place from November 24 to December 14 in Budapest, Romania. The matches will be held at MTK Sportpark (three early stages) and MVM Dome (Playoffs), with a total prize of 1.25 million USD.