Look Sports Media – ESL has officially unveiled the formidable roster of teams poised to descend upon IEM Krakow 2026, setting the stage for what promises to be an electrifying start to the competitive Counter-Strike calendar. From January 28 to February 8, twenty-four of the world’s premier squads will clash in Poland, culminating in a grand finale at the expansive Tauron Arena.
This highly anticipated event draws its participants from the upper echelons of the Valve Regional Standings (VRS), with all eligible teams enthusiastically accepting their coveted invitations. IEM Krakow 2026 marks a significant milestone, stepping into the spotlight as the spiritual successor to the legendary IEM Katowice and serving as the inaugural ESL Pro Tour Championship event to grace the historic city of Kraków.
The tournament structure is designed to deliver maximum competitive intensity, unfolding across two distinct group stages. Stage 1 will feature teams ranked 9th through 24th in the VRS, battling fiercely for one of eight coveted spots in the next phase. These eight victors will then advance to Stage 2, where they will join the top eight VRS-ranked teams, forming an elite sixteen-team bracket.
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IEM Krakow 2026 Full Team List:
Stage 1 Teams (VRS Rank 9-24):
- Team Liquid
- Cloud9
- ENCE
- G2 Esports
- Virtus.pro
- MOUZ
- Complexity
- FURIA Esports
- fnatic
- Ninjas in Pyjamas
- Astralis
- Heroic
- BC.Game (ex-SAW core)
- NRG
- GamerLegion
- Monte
Stage 2 Teams (VRS Rank 1-8):
- FaZe Clan
- Team Vitality
- Natus Vincere
- Spirit
- Merciless Gaming
- Eternal Fire
- BIG
- OG
From Stage 2, six teams will earn their passage to the high-stakes playoffs. The two undefeated teams will secure direct berths into the semi-finals, while the remaining four will commence their playoff journey in the quarter-finals. The ultimate champion will be crowned on February 8, following an epic Best of 5 Grand Final showdown.
A New Chapter in Polish CS2 History
The transition from Hanover to Katowice, and now to Kraków, signifies a fresh chapter for ESL’s flagship events. The move to the significantly larger Tauron Arena for the playoffs underscores the growing scale and ambition of the tournament, promising an unforgettable experience for the 20,000 fans expected to fill the venue from February 6-8.
For many teams, IEM Krakow will serve as their first major litmus test of 2026, and for some, it will be their inaugural Tier 1 engagement, having opted to bypass events like BLAST Bounty. The narratives woven into this event are already compelling.
One of the most anticipated storylines revolves around Oleksandr "s1mple" Kostyliev’s return to top-tier competition. This event marks his first permanent deal engagement in a Tier 1 setting since ESL Pro League Season 18 in 2023, following a temporary stint with FaZe. All eyes will be on the legendary AWPer to see if he can reclaim his throne.
The event also features several teams that have defied expectations to secure their spots. BC.Game, having recently acquired SAW’s core roster, barely made the cut at VRS rank 22. Their performance in Kraków will be crucial for solidifying their presence in future elite tournaments. Similarly, NRG and GamerLegion, who impressed with first and third-place finishes at Fragadelphia Miami, will be looking to prove their mettle in Stage 1.
With potential transfer moves still on the horizon before the tournament kicks off, the competitive landscape remains dynamic. Stay tuned to looksports.media for an in-depth preview of IEM Krakow 2026 as the event draws closer.
IEM Krakow Tournament Details:
- Dates: January 28 – February 8 (Playoffs: February 6-8)
- Location: Kraków, Poland (Playoffs: Tauron Arena, Kraków)
- Prize Pool: $1,250,000 (comprising $100,000 prize money + $250,000 club share)
- First Place: $460,000 ($400,000 prize money + $60,000 club share)
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