The IEM Cologne 2026 Major is one of the most important tournaments of the year, bringing together the best teams in the world to fight for the title in the Cathedral of Counter-Strike. As always, alongside the matches themselves, fans also get the chance to test their game knowledge through the Skin.Club Pick’em Challenge.
The Skin.Club Pick’em follows the classic Major prediction format: players select teams to go 3–0, 0–3, and advance through each stage. Every correct pick grants points, which move you through reward tiers — from basic prizes all the way up to top-tier rewards like knives, gloves, and even the legendary AWP | Dragon Lore for the best performers. In a format where consistency matters more than perfection, every decision can define your final result.
IEM Cologne 2026 Major format
The tournament is divided into four stages, each increasing in difficulty and importance:
Stage 1 runs from June 2–5 and features a 16-team Swiss system. All standard matches are played as best-of-one, while elimination and advancement matches are best-of-three. The top 8 teams move on to Stage 2, while the remaining 8 are eliminated.
read more
Stage 2 takes place from June 6–9 and follows the same structure: 16 teams in a Swiss format with BO1 matches and BO3 deciders. Once again, only 8 teams advance further, while the other half leave the tournament.
Stage 3, running from June 11–15, shifts the format entirely to best-of-three matches. This stage is where consistency, map pool depth, and preparation become critical. The top 8 teams from this phase qualify for the Playoffs.
The Playoffs take place from June 18–21 in a single-elimination bracket. All matches are played as best-of-three, except for the Grand Final, which is a best-of-five — the ultimate test to determine the champion of IEM Cologne 2026.
Ash
Ash places his trust in MIBR and B8 as the only 3–0 team. For the 0–3 slot, he selects Lynn Vision and THUNDERdOWNUNDER, expecting them to struggle heavily in the BO1 format.
His advancing picks include HEROIC, BetBoom, GamerLegion, BIG, M80, Liquid, and Gaimin Gladiators — a very balanced mix of favorites and stable mid-tier teams, built to secure points rather than chase risky outcomes.
James Banks
James Banks goes with one of the most standard setups: GamerLegion and B8 as his 3–0 picks. For elimination, he places Sharks and THUNDERdOWNUNDER in the 0–3 slot. His advancing pool includes MIBR, BetBoom, TYLOO, BIG, M80, and HEROIC — a very safe and structured Pick’em with minimal risk.
read more
Mauisnake
Mauisnake also sticks to GamerLegion and BetBoom for 3–0. For 0–3, he selects FlyQuest and THUNDERdOWNUNDER. His advancing teams include MIBR, BIG, SINNERS, M80, B8, and HEROIC.
STYKO
STYKO follows a disciplined, pro-style approach with BIIG and GamerLegion as a 3–0 lock, focusing on consistency rather than bold predictions.
He places THUNDERdOWNUNDER and FlyQuest in the 0–3 slot and builds his advancement pool around BetBoom, B8, HEROIC, SINNERS, M80, and MIBR— a very structured and “coin-safe” setup.
fl0m
fl0m goes with GamerLegion and BetBoom as his 3–0 picks, sticking close to the general meta.
For elimination, he selects Gaimin Gladiators and FlyQuest, and his advancing teams include M80, NRG, BIG, SINNERS, B8, and HEROIC. His Pick’em leans slightly more into volatile teams, giving it a bit more risk compared to others.
kane
kane builds around GamerLegion and B8 as his 3–0 teams, trusting the strongest BO1 performers. He places Gaimin Gladiators and THUNDERdOWNUNDER in the 0–3 slot, while his advancing picks include BetBoom, MIBR, NRG, BIG, HEROIC, and M80 — a balanced mix of favorites and solid contenders.
NartOutHere
NartOutHere once again focuses on matchup logic, selecting GamerLegion and BetBoom for the 3–0 position.
For elimination, he puts Gaimin Gladiators and THUNDERdOWNUNDER in 0–3. His advancing teams include MIBR, Liquid, BIG, SINNERS, B8, and HEROIC— reflecting a strong belief in firepower-heavy teams surviving BO1 chaos.
read more
cmtry
cmtry takes a slightly different route, placing GamerLegion and MIBR in the 3–0 slot instead of the usual favorites.
For elimination, he selects NRG and THUNDERdOWNUNDER , while his advancing teams include Heroic, BIG, Liquid, BetBoom, B8, and TYLOO — a more experimental setup compared to the rest.
launders
launders makes one of the boldest choices, putting GamerLegion and B8 in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects FlyQuest and THUNDERdOWNUNDER . His advancing teams include Heroic, BIG, M80, Liquid, MIBR, and BetBoom — combining risky top picks with a very stable core.
Mrtweeday
Mrtweetday places Heroic and GamerLegion in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects Lynn Vision and THUNDERdOWNUNDER. His advancing teams include B8, BIG, Sharks, BetBoom, M80, and Liquid.
shox
shox places GamerLegion and BetBoom in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects Gaimin Gladiators and Sharks. His advancing teams include M80, Liquid, BIG, MIBR, TYLOO, and B8.
Cnd
Cnd places BetBoom and GamerLegion in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects Gaimin Gladiators and Sharks. His advancing teams include B8, BIG, NRG, Liquid, SINNERS, and MIBR.
Anders Blume
Anders Blume places BetBoom and GamerLegion in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects NRG and TYLOO. His advancing teams include Heroic, M80, MIBR, BIG, Liquid, and B8.
Golden
Golden places BetBoom and BIG in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects SINNERS and Sharks. His advancing teams include GamerLegion, B8, Heroic, Liquid, MIBR, and Gaimin Gladiators.
read more
Joispoi24
Joispoi24 places MIBR and TYLOO in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects NRG and Liquid. His advancing teams include M80, Heroic, GamerLegion, BIG, BetBoom, and B8.
ThourCS2
ThourCS2 places GamerLegion and Lynn Vision in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects NRG and FlyQuest. His advancing teams include BIG, BetBoom, Heroic, MIBR, TYLOO, and SINNERS.
Tedd
Tedd places MIBR and GamerLegion in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects Gaimin Gladiators and FlyQuest. His advancing teams include SINNERS, BIG, Heroic, BetBoom, B8, and M80.
Peacemaker
peacemaker places B8 and Heroic in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects Gaimin Gladiators and THUNDERdOWNUNDER. His advancing teams include MIBR, BetBoom, GamerLegion, Liquid, M80, and BIG.
Ozzny
Ozzny places GamerLegion and B8 in the 3–0 slot. For 0–3, he selects Gaimin Gladiators and THUNDERdOWNUNDER. His advancing teams include M80, Heroic, BIG, BetBoom, MIBR, and Liquid.
