TAURON Arena Kraków Welcomes the World’s Best Counter-Strike Teams Competing for $1,25M and Glory
Thursday, January 22, 2026, Kraków: Intel® Extreme Masters (IEM), one of the longest-running and most prestigious esports tournament series in the world, is about to debut in Kraków, Poland, marking the beginning of a new era for the iconic competition. Following nearly two decades of history, first in Hannover, Germany, and later cementing its legacy in Katowice, Poland, IEM enters its new chapter with IEM Kraków 2026.
On January 28 – February 8, 24 of the world’s best Counter-Strike teams will compete in Kraków for one of the most coveted trophies in esports, $1,25M in Total Winnings, a chance to join the Hall of Heroes as Champions, and valuable points toward the $1M ESL Grand Slam VI. The final three days of the competition on February 6 – 8 will take place at TAURON Arena Kraków, where the six qualified teams will battle in front of thousands of passionate fans and millions watching online.
Moving the ESL Pro Tour (EPT) Championship to Kraków reflects the tournament’s commitment to its growing community. The new venue allows a larger audience to witness the action live while elevating the in-arena experience for fans and players alike.
Schedule and Format
Stage 1 (January 28 – 30):
- Features 16 teams competing for eight spots in Stage 2.
- The first stage is played in a double-elimination bracket.
- All matches are best-of-three
Stage 2 (January 30 – February 3):
- The top eight teams from Stage 1 and the eight directly qualified teams are split into two groups of eight.
- The groups compete in a double-elimination format.
- All matches are best-of-three.
- The top three teams from each group advance to the Playoffs.
- Group stage winners advance to the Semifinals.
- Group stage second- and third-place teams advance to the Quarterfinals.
Playoffs (February 6 – 8):
- Played in a single-elimination format.
- The Quarterfinals and Semifinals are best-of-three.
- The Grand Final is best-of-five.
Teams Attending
Stage 1:
- 3DMAX
- Astralis
- Aurora Gaming
- B8
- BCG Esports
- Complexity Gaming
- FUT Esports
- G2 Esports
- GamerLegion
- HEROIC
- NRG
- Ninjas in Pyjamas
- PARAVISION
- paiN Gaming
- Passion UA
- Team Liquid
Stage 2:
- FaZe Clan
- FURIA
- MOUZ
- Natus Vincere
- Team Falcons
- Team Spirit
- Team Vitality
The MongolZ
Prize Money
Total Winnings: $1,250,000 | |||
Place | Total Winnings | Player Prize Money | Club Prize Money |
1st | $460,000 | $400,000 | $60,000 |
2nd | $216,000 | $180,000 | $36,000 |
3rd-4th | $118,000 | $80,000 | $28,000 |
5th-6th | $61,000 | $40,000 | $21,000 |
7th – 8th | $38,000 | $24,000 | $14,000 |
9th – 12th | $23,000 | $16,000 | $7,000 |
13th-16th | $10,000 | $10,000 | – |
17th-20th | $4,500 | $4,500 | – |
21st-24th | $2,500 | $2,500 | – |
On-Site Activations
Those visiting the TAURON Arena Kraków on February 6 – 8 can also look forward to a wide variety of on-site activities*:
- At the Intel® booth, fans are invited to try out the latest games and hardware, participate in live panels, tech talks, and influencer moments between matches.
- Acer’s dedicated 2v2 challenge zone will see duos compete for prizes and test their skills on the official IEM PC used by pros.
- The ESL Shop will provide visitors an elevated experience with an exclusive IEM Kraków and ESL merch drop, Kolex Cards, team jerseys, and much more.
- DHL will once again deliver special prizes and experiences with the !DHLDrop to both fans watching the games from the arena and to those following online.
- At Zowie’s booth, fans will be able to play games and test the pro-trusted gear, from monitors to gaming mice and mousepads, through 1v1 matches with influencers.
The Grand Finale of the Krakow School League, a Brawl Stars esports tournament for primary and secondary schools, will be held at the City of Krakow’s booth on February 7 and 8. The winning team will receive a fully equipped computer lab for their school.
Where to Watch
The live broadcast will be available on ESL Counter-Strike Twitch and YouTube channels, as well as via dedicated broadcast partners.
For more information about IEM Kraków 2026 and the latest updates on the event, please head over to the official website and follow ESL Counter-Strike on X, Facebook, and Instagram.
A press accreditation application is available HERE.
*Details of the mentioned activities are still subject to change.
