Two words: Cologne Major.

Cologne Major Cologne Major Cologne Major.

Cologne Major.

IEM Cologne is set to be a Major next year, as you might have guessed from our fervent frothing. Now that is an exciting thought. The most iconic arena in Counter-Strike is hosting its most important tournament in the middle of the year, with the winner unquestionably writing their name into the history books.

Unless… it’s actually lowkey kinda disappointing?

Look, we love the Major. We love Cologne. When we had both, there were more tournaments to really care about. With both Kato and Cologne AND two Majors, there were four trophies that were above the rest.

Next year, there’s just three – and does making Cologne a Major really make it any better?

Well, yeah. Kinda. This promises to be a proper barn burner. A real ‘gotta be there’ tournament. The sort of tournament that makes you finally get to an event. This will be the most hyped event since the Rio Major, but it will almost certainly be better.

We bloody hope so, anyway.

These are the types of events that really solidify a legacy, or start a career. If donk wins it, he’s undisputed. If Vitality win it, they’re probably undeniable. If NiKo wins i- haha, only kidding. The gypsy curse won’t allow that.

2026. Cologne Major. You'd better be there, or you’ll regret it.