Falcons will enter IEM Beijing 2026 as the highest-ranked team on the confirmed list. However, Vitality and Spirit will not take part in the $1.25 million tournament.
Their absence changes the final lineup for the event in Beijing. PARIVISION and FaZe have moved into the field instead, while several other leading CS2 teams have accepted their invitations.
MOUZ, NAVI and FURIA Join Event
MOUZ and Natus Vincere are the next highest-ranked teams set to compete. FURIA will also attend after winning IEM Chengdu in 2025, the tournament that preceded IEM Beijing.
Legacy, BetBoom Team, G2, and Aurora have accepted their places as well. In total, only Vitality and Spirit declined among the ten teams that received global VRS invitations.
Liquid, 9z, and The MongolZ have also confirmed their participation after accepting invitations to IEM Beijing 2026. Their presence adds further depth to a field that already features several of the highest-ranked teams in the world.
Three Qualifier Places Remain
The 16-team lineup is not complete yet. One team will qualify through the Asia Closed Qualifier, while two more teams will advance through the Global Closed Qualifier.
The current participant list, based on the August 3 VRS, includes:
- Falcons
- MOUZ
- 9z
- Natus Vincere
- Legacy
- FURIA
- BetBoom Team
- Aurora
- G2
- PARIVISION
- FaZe
- The MongolZ
- Liquid
Vitality Explain Their Decision
Vitality addressed the decision in a statement on X. Dan “apEX” Madesclaire and William “mezii” Merriman are both on paternity leave.
Therefore, Vitality plan to focus on events where the complete roster can play together. The team wants to collect as many VRS points as possible with its full five-player lineup.
IEM Beijing 2026 will take place from November 2 to 8. Falcons, MOUZ, Natus Vincere, and FURIA will be among the key teams to follow, while three qualifiers will complete the field.
