The IEM Cologne Major is finally here. After a long, drawn-out season of competition across the globe, 32 of the world's best CS2 squads converge at the hallowed Cathedral of Counter-Strike in Cologne, Germany, for the venue's major ascension for the first time in a decade.
Five of those representatives are from Asia, of which four will begin their conquest in the opening stage. Here's everything you need to know about the IEM Cologne Major; full schedule, results, and a preview for our Asia reps!
IEM Cologne Major: How to watch
The IEM Cologne Major will be streamed live across two main channels on Twitch, YouTube, and Kick.
For those going spoiler-free, full VODs from each matchday will be posted to the linked channels daily at the conclusion of the production.
IEM Cologne Major - Stage 1 schedule & results
All times AEST.
Round 1 (Tuesday, June 2)
- 8:30pm: Lynn Vision 8-13 M80 | FlyQuest 16-14 SINNERS
- 9:30pm: TYLOO 6-13 B8 | THUNDERdOWNUNDER 13-6 MIBR
- 10:30pm: GamerLegion vs. NRG | HEROIC vs. Sharks
- 11:30pm: BetBoom vs. Gaimin Gladiators | BIG vs. Liquid
Round 2 (Wednesday, June 3)
- 1:30am: TBD vs. TBD | TBD vs. TBD
- 2:30am: TBD vs. TBD | TBD vs. TBD
- 3:30am: TBD vs. TBD | TBD vs. TBD
- 4:30am: TBD vs. TBD | TBD vs. TBD
Schedule for Stage 1, Round 3 and beyond is TBD.
IEM Cologne Major - Asia Preview
While The MongolZ enjoy an additional two weeks to prepare for stage three of the Cologne Major, the rest of Asia's representatives will begin the tournament in the opening stage on June 2.
The scenario is simple; win three series, and their Cologne campaign continues into stage two. Lose three series, and it's a bloody long flight home for our reps.
All 16 teams have been sorted into a Swiss bracket, with the opening two rounds of competition consisting of best-of-one's — no room for error. From round three onwards, qualifying and elimination rounds will feature best-of-threes, testing the squads to their limits.
It's new ground for Brisbane champions THUNDERdOWNUNDER, who only just recently attended their first international event in China as a squad. Sure, the individuals have plenty of overseas experience, but the major is a whole different beast altogether when you put the five together.
FlyQuest has plenty more experience on the big stage, especially for the OCE quarter of INS, Vexite, nettik, and jks. However, you wouldn't think it this year — FlyQuest has been shockingly absent from big events, and the ones they have attended, they've been, well, shocking.
Lynn Vision earned their ticket to Cologne in a controversial manner, but westmelon's men put the scene on notice with a big win at ACL 2026, and punched above their weight at CAC. Can the Chinese squad rebound after last year's Budapest exit, and find a way to channel their top 16 performance at Austin again?
TYLOO perhaps holds the greatest hope for our four squads in stage one, with wins and close maps against tier one regulars over the course of the season. They must find consistency, however, after a lacklustre finish at ACL and CAC on home soil. Far from home soil now, it's time TYLOO taps into the spirit of old.
There's more at stake than bonus sticker money and a prize pool boost. VRS points for the next season are up for grabs, but critically, the Singapore Major is up next — deep runs by our Asia reps will mean more Asia squads earn the right to play at a home CS2 major.
