The biggest IEM event ever held in Asia kicks off November 2, welcoming fans for a week of world-class Counter-Strike action
Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Cologne, Germany: Intel Extreme Masters (IEM), one of the longest-running and most prestigious esports tournament circuits in the world, is on its way to Beijing, China, as 16 of the world’s best Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) teams prepare to compete in the Chinese capital. Taking place on November 2-8 at the Bloomage Biotech·Biohyalux ECM Arena in Wukesong, Haidian District, IEM Beijing 2026 will see teams go head-to-head for $1,250,000 in Total Winnings, the coveted IEM trophy and an important point in the $1 million ESL Grand Slam VII race.
Returning to the city for the first time since 2019, the tournament will welcome fans across all six competition days, from the opening Group Stage matches through the Grand Final. IEM Beijing 2026 is set to feature a 360-degree stage design, placing players at the heart of the arena and bringing fans closer to the action. With more than 45,000 fans expected to attend throughout the week, the tournament is set to become the biggest standalone IEM event ever held in Asia.
The tournament is organized in partnership with the Beijing Esports Industry Development Association as a part of the “Beijing Esports” initiative.
Schedule and format:
Group Stage (November 2-4)
- Two groups of 8, double-elimination bracket.
- All matches are best-of-three.
- Top 3 teams of each group go through to the playoffs, with the group winners going directly into the semifinals.
Playoffs (November 6-8)
- Six teams compete in a single-elimination bracket in the Bloomage Biotech·Biohyalux ECM Arena.
- The Quarterfinals and Semifinals are best-of-three.
- The third-place decider is best-of-three.
- The Grand Final is best-of-five.
Attending teams:
IEM Beijing 2026 brings together 16 teams from across Europe, the Americas and Asia, including some of the biggest names in Counter-Strike, alongside local heroes ready to compete in front of the Chinese crowd. Among the competitors, the tournament features reigning IEM Chengdu Champions FURIA, IEM Cologne Major 2026 winners Team Falcons, IEM Atlanta 2026 Champions Natus Vincere, as well as TYLOO, who will represent China on home soil.
- Team Falcons (VRS Global)
- MOUZ (VRS Global)
- Natus Vincere (VRS Global)
- Legacy (VRS Global)
- FURIA (VRS Global)
- BetBoom Team (VRS Global)
- G2 Esports (VRS Global)
- Aurora Gaming (VRS Global)
- PARIVISION (VRS Global)
- FaZe Clan (VRS Global)
- Team Liquid (VRS North America)
- 9z Globant (VRS South America)
- The MongolZ (VRS Asia)
- B8 Esports (VRS Global Closed Qualifier)
- HEROIC (VRS Global Closed Qualifier)
- TYLOO (VRS Asia Closed Qualifier)
Total Winnings:
| Total Winnings: $1,250,000 | ||
| Place | Total Winnings | Club Prize Money |
| 1st | $125,000 | $235,000 |
| 2nd | $50,000 | $160,000 |
| 3rd | $30,000 | $130,000 |
| 4th | $20,000 | $100,000 |
| 5th-6th | $12,500 | $75,000 |
| 7th-8th | $7,000 | $47,500 |
| 9th-12th | $5,000 | $20,000 |
| 13th-16th | $4,000 | – |
Onsite activations:
Fans visiting the Bloomage Biotech·Biohyalux ECM Arena can look forward to a variety of on-site activities, including team signing sessions, partner activations, and additional fan experiences.
- ESL Shop – Visitors can explore a range of exclusive merchandise, including Kolex Cards, team jerseys, and more.
- Intel – Fans are invited to try out the latest games and hardware and participate in activities. Fans are invited to compete in daily 5v5 Counter-Strike 2 LAN tournaments and SteelSeries Aim Trainer challenges, experience hands-on gameplay across racing rigs and open-play stations, and enjoy live stage showdowns with exclusive giveaways.
- 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. DHL is also inviting attendees to test their competitive edge on a custom CS2 training map across dedicated gaming stations, spin an interactive touchscreen wheel to win branded giveaways, and connect directly with DHL representatives to explore career opportunities.
- ZOWIE – Attendees are invited to explore tailored peripheral fittings and monitor setups, put their skills to the test in a live CS2 Crossfire Aim Challenge, and compete for top daily leaderboard prizes including ZOWIE mice and mousepads.
- Logitech – At the Logitech booth, fans can explore the GPW5 Ultra firsthand in an interactive reaction-speed challenge, experience guided DBC system testing and explore behind-the-scenes engineering teardown displays.
- Autofull – Visitors can test the brand’s gaming chairs firsthand while taking part in fast-paced 1v1 PC tournaments, timed puzzle challenges, and interactive giveaways for exclusive prizes.
Where to Watch:
The live broadcast will be available on ESL Counter-Strike Twitch, YouTube, KICK and TikTok channels, as well as via dedicated broadcast partners.
For more information about IEM Beijing 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.
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