IEM Kraków 2026: Schedule, Format, Teams & How To Watch
After thirteen years at the Spodek Arena, Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) is entering a bold new chapter by moving its winter championship from Katowice to Kraków. While the “Hall of Heroes” defined the soul of Counter-Strike 2 for over a decade, the transition to the state-of-the-art Tauron Arena reflects its massive growth.
This guide breaks down all the key changes and details about IEM Kraków 2026, including the schedule, format, teams, prize pool, stream links, and ticket information.
IEM Kraków 2026 Location & Dates
IEM Kraków 2026 runs from January 28 to February 8, marking the tournament’s move from its long-time home in Katowice after 13 years (2013–2025). The event will now be hosted at Tauron Arena Kraków.
IEM Kraków 2026 Schedule
This table outlines the full IEM Kraków 2026 schedule, including each stage, date, and match time.
| Stage | Date | Start Time (CET) |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 | January 28–30 | — |
| Stage 2 | January 31 to February 3 | |
| Quarterfinal 1 | February 6 | 15:45 |
| Quarterfinal 2 | 19:00 | |
| Semifinal 1 | February 7 | 15:45 |
| Semifinal 2 | 19:00 | |
| Lower Final | February 8 | 13:30 |
| Grand Final | 17:00 |
Note: All match times are listed in local Central European Time (CET). Official fixtures and updates are available on the ESL website.
IEM Kraków 2026 Format
IEM Kraków 2026 will span three phases: Stage 1 (Play-In), Stage 2 (Group Stage), and Playoffs (The Arena).
The Play-In (January 28–30) will see 16 teams (ranked 9th–24th in the Valve Regional Standings) compete in best-of-three series under a double-elimination format. Only the top eight teams will proceed to the next stage.
The Group Stage (January 31 to February 3) will feature 16 CS2 teams, comprising eight directly invited teams and eight teams that advanced from Stage 1, battling in two double-elimination format GSL-style brackets. All matches will be played as best-of-three series.
The top three teams from each group will advance to the Playoffs and be seeded as follows:
- 1st place → Semifinals
- 2nd place → Quarterfinals (as the High Seeds)
- 3rd place → Quarterfinals (as the Low Seed)
- 4th–8th place teams are eliminated
The Playoffs (February 6–8) will change to a single-elimination bracket. All matches will be played as a best-of-three format, except the Grand Final, which will be a best-of-five to crown the winner. The Playoffs will also feature a best-of-three match to decide the third place.
Prize Pool Distribution
IEM Kraków 2026 features a $1,250,000 prize pool. This includes $1,000,000 in direct winnings for the teams, plus an extra $250,000 in Club Rewards. The champion is set to take home the lion’s share of $400,000, along with a crucial EPT Championship title that counts toward the Intel Grand Slam.
Here’s how the money will be split between the participating teams.
| Place | Prize Money | Club Reward | Total Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | $400,000 | €60,000.00 | $460,000 |
| 2nd | $180,000 | €36,000.00 | $216,000 |
| 3rd | $100,000 | $31,000 | $131,000 |
| 4th | $60,000 | $25,000 | $85,000 |
| 5th–6th | $40,000 | $21,000 | $61,000 |
| 7th–8th | $24,000 | $14,000 | $38,000 |
| 9th–12th | $16,000 | $7,000 | $23,000 |
| 13th–16th | $10,000 | – | $10,000 |
| 17th–20th | $4,500 | – | $4,500 |
| 21st–24th | $2,500 | – | $2,500 |
| Total | $1,000,000 | $250,000 | $1,250,000 |
Teams Competing At IEM Kraków 2026
There are 24 teams competing at IEM Kraków 2026. Teams were invited based on the Valve Regional Standings (VRS) as of January 5, 2026.
Directly Qualified Teams
- FURIA
- Vitality
- Falcons
- Team Spirit
- NAVI
- MOUZ
- FaZe
- The MongolZ
Play-In Teams
- Aurora
- B8
- Legacy
- G2
- Team Liquid
- 3DMAX
- Astralis
- PARIVISION
- HEROIC
- paiN
- FUT
- Ninjas in Pyjamas
- Passion UA
- BC.Game
- NRG
- GamerLegion
How To Watch IEM Kraków 2026
You can watch all the IEM Kraków 2026 matches broadcast live on the IEM website as well as on the ESL Counter-Strike’s YouTube and Twitch channels.
Tickets
If you want to be part of the in-person audience, you can purchase tickets to IEM Kraków 2026 via the Ticketmaster website. Wave 3 of ticket sales is already live, and most of the tickets are flying off the shelves. However, you can still snag some seats for this premium event.
| Ticket Type | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Upper Bracket | 1 Day | 240 zł (~$67) |
| Lower Bracket | 1 Day | 360 zł (~$100) |
| Weekend Lower Pass | 3 Days | 1,000 zł (~$277) |
| Premium Pass | 3 Days | 2,200 zł (~$555) |
FAQs
When and where will IEM Kraków 2026 take place?
IEM Kraków 2026 will take place in Kraków, Poland, from January 28 to February 8, 2026. The Stage 1 (January 28–30) and Stage 2 (January 31 to February 3) will be held at a private venue, while the Playoffs will be hosted at the Tauron Arena in Kraków.
What is the IEM Kraków 2026 prize pool?
The tournament features a total prize pool of $1,250,000, split between $1,000,000 in cash prizes and $250,000 in Club Rewards. The winning team will take home a staggering $400,000 in cash plus $60,000 in Club Rewards, for a combined total of $460,000.
How much do IEM Kraków 2026 tickets cost?
IEM Kraków 2026 ticket prices range from 240 zł (~$67) to 2,200 zł (~$555) and can be purchased via Ticketmaster.
How can I watch IEM Kraków 2026?
You can catch all the action from IEM Kraków 2026 on the official ESL website, ESL CS YouTube, and Twitch channels. Every match will be broadcast live, including Play-Ins, Group Stage, and Playoffs.
Will there be IEM Katowice 2026?
No. The Intel Extreme Masters Final will no longer be held in Spodek Arena in Katowice, Poland. It has been relocated to Tauron Arena Kraków after 13 years.
References
- Hall of Heroes: TRZECI ROZDZIAŁ (ESL)
- Intel Extreme Masters (Intel Extreme Masters)
- ESL Counter-Strike (YouTube)
- ESLCS (Twitch)
- IEM Kraków – Bilety (Ticketmaster)
