Today, June 8, the third playday of IEM Cologne Major 2026 Stage 2 begins. The tension inside the Swiss bracket continues to rise, as after two days of competition the teams have split into the 2–1 and 1–2 groups. From now on, every series carries maximum importance — some teams are one step away from qualifying for Stage 3, while others are forced to fight for survival.
By the end of the day, new Stage 3 participants will be decided, finishing the day with a 3–1 record. At the same time, the first Stage 2 teams to end their tournament with a 1–3 result will also be known. The teams that lose in the 2–1 group will still keep a chance to advance, but they will be forced into the decisive 2–2 matches.
Schedule for the day
The third day of Stage 2 is built around two key groups. Teams with a 2–1 record are one win away from qualifying for Stage 3, while participants in the 1–2 group no longer have any room for error — one more loss will mean the end of their Major run.
Elimination matches (Best of 3 / LAN)
15:00 CET: Astralis vs paiN; MIBR vs B8
20:00 CET: M80 vs Legacy
Matches for qualification to Stage 3 (Best of 3 / LAN)
17:30 CET: Monte vs BetBoom; TYLOO vs 9z
20:00 CET: G2 vs BIG
The main focus today will be on the evening series Monte vs BetBoom, TYLOO vs 9z, and G2 vs BIG, where the new Stage 3 participants with a 3–1 record will be decided. At the same time, the matches Astralis vs paiN, MIBR vs B8, and M80 vs Legacy already carry elimination status — for those who lose, the road at IEM Cologne Major 2026 will come to an end.
Live broadcast
The third day of IEM Cologne Major 2026 Stage 2 could become decisive for most teams. Unlike the opening Best of 1 matches, all games are now played in the Best of 3 (LAN) format, which greatly reduces the randomness factor and makes preparation and adaptation key elements of success.
As the Swiss bracket narrows, the difference between success and elimination becomes minimal. One win opens the door to Stage 3, while one loss can mean the end of a team’s run at the Major.
We will update the article throughout the day: match results, changes in the Swiss table, the list of teams that advanced to Stage 3, and the rosters whose tournament in Cologne has ended.
Interim and final results
After two days of Stage 2, the Swiss bracket has entered its decisive phase. Today’s matches will determine the new teams that advance to Stage 3 with a 3–1 record, as well as the participants who will end their tournament at 1–3.
After the matches are completed, the results and the current standings of the teams in the Swiss bracket will be updated here:
1–2 group matches (Best of 3 / LAN)
- Astralis vs paiN — 0:2
- MIBR vs B8 — pending
- M80 vs Legacy — pending
2–1 group matches (Best of 3 / LAN)
- Monte vs BetBoom — pending
- TYLOO vs 9z — pending
- G2 vs BIG — pending
Current group distribution
- 3–1 / Stage 3: pending
- 2–2: paiN
- 1–3: Astralis
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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.
