Today, June 3, the second playday of IEM Cologne Major 2026 Stage 1 begins, and it will be one of the key days in the race for qualification to Stage 2. After yesterday’s matches, the teams have already split into three groups — 2–0, 1–1, and 0–2 — and today’s results will determine the first participants of the next stage as well as the first eliminations from the tournament.
Today is the day we will learn the first teams to finish Stage 1 with a perfect 3–0 record and qualify directly for Stage 2. At the same time, the 2–1 and 1–2 groups will be formed, and the first participants to end their Major run after a 0–3 loss will also be decided.
Schedule for the day
The second day of Stage 1 continues the Swiss format, but now the value of every match becomes even higher. Teams with a 2–0 record will fight for early qualification to Stage 2, the 1–1 teams will try to move closer to qualification or avoid the danger zone, and the 0–2 matches will effectively become elimination series.
1–1 group matches (BO1)
15:30 CET: NRG vs FlyQuest; Sharks vs Lynn Vision
16:30 CET: Liquid vs MIBR; THUNDER dOWNUNDER vs BIG
Matches for qualification to Stage 2 (Best of 3 / LAN)
17:30 CET: GamerLegion vs BetBoom
20:00 CET: M80 vs B8
Elimination matches (Best of 3 / LAN)
17:30 CET: TYLOO vs SINNERS
20:00 CET: Gaimin Gladiators vs HEROIC
The main attention today will be focused on M80 vs B8 and GamerLegion vs BetBoom, where the first teams to qualify for Stage 2 with a 3–0 record will be decided. The elimination matches will be no less dramatic: TYLOO vs SINNERS and Gaimin Gladiators vs HEROIC, where a single loss will mean the end of the run at IEM Cologne Major 2026.
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Live broadcast
The second day of IEM Cologne Major 2026 Stage 1 will become the first real test of distance: the favorites will get a chance to secure early qualification, while the teams in the lower part of the Swiss bracket will have their last chance to stay alive.
Today, the decisive Best of 3 (LAN) matches begin, where there will be far fewer random outcomes, and map pool depth, adaptation, and psychological stability may play a key role.
[The stream will be inserted here]
We will update the article throughout the day: match results, changes in the Swiss bracket, the list of teams that qualified for Stage 2, and the first eliminations from the tournament.
Interim and final results
After the first day of the tournament, the Swiss bracket has already begun to shape the favorites and the outsiders. Today’s matches will determine the first teams to finish Stage 1 with a 3–0 record, as well as those who will lose all chances to continue after going 0–3.
After the matches are completed, the results and the current standings of the teams in the Swiss bracket will be updated here:
1–1 group matches (BO1)
- NRG vs FlyQuest — pending
- Sharks vs Lynn Vision — pending
- Liquid vs MIBR — pending
- THUNDER dOWNUNDER vs BIG — pending
Matches for qualification to Stage 2 (Best of 3 / LAN)
- GamerLegion vs BetBoom — pending
- M80 vs B8 — pending
Elimination matches (Best of 3 / LAN)
- TYLOO vs SINNERS — pending
- Gaimin Gladiators vs HEROIC — pending
Current group distribution
- Group 3–0: pending
- Group 2–1: pending
- Group 1–2: pending
- Group 0–3: pending
Skin.Club Pick’em Challenge
Running alongside the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025 is the Skin.Club Pick’em Challenge — an interactive feature where fans predict match results, choose advancing teams, and earn points throughout the tournament. By making accurate picks, participants unlock rewards ranging from premium skins to rare gloves and knives, with the ultimate prize being the iconic AWP | Dragon Lore.
