Michal Slowinski

The venue for Stage 3 of #IEM Cologne is named Palladium and we’ve used it for the past many years, just never with an audience. With our event configuration we’ll welcome 500 fans on the floor with a short side stage.

For the #IEM Cologne Major 2026, all participating teams and players are required disclose any potential conflicts of interest or business entanglements. These official declarations are now available for public viewing to ensure full transparency within the community.

The rosters are now LOCKED for the #IEM Cologne Major 2026. 🔒 These are the players fighting for a spot in the Cathedral of Counter-Strike 🔽

.@ropz can finally craft a gold pickaxe #IEM

The man who elevated an entire nation to Counter-Strike prominence. Congratulations on over 21 years of teaching us all. Obrigado, professor. @FalleNCS

With co-streaming becoming a bigger and bigger part of our events, today we're updating our co-streaming guidelines for 2026 and beyond. Check out the full guidelines on our website! esl.com/co-streaming/

For the first time in 10 years, 32 teams have been assembled for a Counter-Strike Major in the Cathedral of Counter-Strike. 🇩🇪 YOUR #IEM COLOGNE MAJOR 2026 INVITED TEAMS ARE CONFIRMED 👇

The Valve Regional Standings officially updated ✅ #IEM Cologne Major 2026 invites sent to 32 teams ✅ Stage 1 begins in 57 days ⏳

The #IEM Rio 2026 Group Stage 🇧🇷 GROUP A @TeamVitalityCS @REDCanids @gentlemates @G2CSGO @Team__Spirit @TeamLiquidCS @3DMAXGaming @TeamFalconsGG GROUP B @FURIA @PassionuaGG @B8esportsGG @natusvincere @AuroraCS2_GG @HOTUeSports @legacyggbr @mousesports

The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) has issued a four-year ban to CS2 player Dmytro “nifee” Tediashvili following a detailed investigation into match manipulation and betting-related corruption during an ESIC Member Event. Findings confirmed deliberate in-game manipulation tied to abnormal betting on prop markets: highlighting a growing integrity risk arising from proposition market match-fixing within competitive Counter-Strike. This matter underscores ESIC’s commitment to identifying and addressing corruption at all levels of play, including emerging threats tied to micro-events within matches. ESIC continues to work with international law enforcement and integrity partners, and further enforcement actions may follow. Read the full findings and sanction details: esic.gg/sanction-outco…

Sadly, BET-M 33 are unable to attend #IEM Atlanta 2026. @SINNERS_Esports will take their spot as they were next in line in the Global Closed Qualifier.

We are bringing an update to the Annual Club Incentive for 2026 after a successful Season 23 of #ESLProLeague Check out the blog for all the details 👇

Forget everything you know about esports. After reviewing more than 600 applications, we've selected over 100 National Team Partners to step up and unite their nation's greatest players under one banner for the Esports Nations Cup. The countdown to November has begun. Who are you backing?

#ESLProTour 2027 Updates! 💰 $11,450,000+ Up for grabs 👥 8 Team playoffs for all 2027 events 🏟️ Live audience finals for all 2027 events 🏙️ At least 3 new cities 🚨 And more...

#ESLProTour update: After last nights update we can confirm that all matches going forward will be played on the latest patch. This is effective immediately for #ESLChallengerLeague and #IEM Rio 2026.

With just under 90 days to go until the action begins, preparations for the #IEM Cologne Major 2026 are ramping up. As teams make their final push in the VRS Rankings, we want to share some upcoming milestones for all teams and players hoping to secure their place in Cologne.

#ESLProLeague Returns to its roots. Counter-Strike returns to the Spodek. Tickets coming soon.

I have seen a couple of comments that we have yet to reveal our team program for CS2 in 2027 and beyond. The way our agreement is structured it continues year over year, and while we may tweak the mechanics here and there, the underlying principles remain. Those principles are:

Today, we're announcing a significant expansion to the #IEM Cologne Major 2026 format. For the first time ever all matches in Stage 3 of a Major will now be played as a best-of-three series.

All the teams invited for the Main Event of #IEM Atlanta 2026 and the Global & Americas Closed Qualifiers! Read more on all the invites in our blogpost below ⤵️