{"id":337242,"date":"2026-01-17T15:27:24","date_gmt":"2026-01-17T15:27:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/community.skin.club\/?p=337242"},"modified":"2026-01-17T15:30:17","modified_gmt":"2026-01-17T15:30:17","slug":"iem-krakow-2026-stage-1-opening-matchups","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/community.skin.club\/en\/news\/iem-krakow-2026-stage-1-opening-matchups","title":{"rendered":"IEM Krak\u00f3w Stage 1: opening matchups announced"},"content":{"rendered":"

The organizers of IEM Krak\u00f3w 2026 have officially unveiled the opening round bracket for Stage 1. Sixteen teams will begin their campaign in a double-elimination format, with eight squads advancing to Stage 2. The matches will kick off on January 28, with the opening stage running through January 30.<\/p>\n

Context and key matchups<\/h3>\n

Stage 1 immediately delivers several high-profile clashes. One of the most anticipated series will see Team Liquid face Ninjas in Pyjamas, two teams that met recently at BLAST Bounty and produced a tense, hard-fought matchup. Another major point of focus will be BC.Game vs Legacy, which will mark BC.Game\u2019s LAN debut following the signing of the Portuguese core built around s1mple.<\/p>\n

Top seed Aurora will open against GamerLegion, while B8 are set to take on NRG. It remains unclear whether headtr1ck will be part of B8\u2019s lineup for the event.<\/p>\n\n

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read more<\/h3>\n
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\n HEROIC sweep paiN to secure LAN qualification at BLAST Bounty 2026 Season 1<\/a>\n \n
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Jan 17<\/div>\n News<\/a> <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Taken from the official ESL Twitter account.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Stage 1 opening round (January 28)<\/strong><\/p>\n