All the rookies at IEM Cologne 2026 Major

The stage is set for IEM Cologne 2026 as Counter-Strike's most important tournament returns to Cologne after ten years. Stepping into a server at the Major is a lifelong dream for most players entering the competitive space but for some its just another day in the office. The previous Major in Budapest had a total of 19 Major debutants but the upcoming Cologne Major surpasses that number by quite some distance.

IEM Cologne 2026 Major will see 31 players making their Major debut and here we take a look at all the rookies, stage by stage.

Stage 1

Stage 1 is where we see the most number of debutants with entire lineups of Sharks and SINNERS making their maiden Major appearance. TjP and asap from THUNDERdOWNUNDER have finally made it to the big stage after grinding it out in the Oceanic scene for a while. TYLOO's Zero will also be playing his first ever Major.

Stage 2

In Stage 2, the numbers drop as the competition turns tougher and here no single teams is entirely composed of rookies with only near-exceptions being FUT and MONTE for featuring four debutants in their starting five.

Stage 3

Only two players will begin their Counter-Strike Major journey in Stage 3, at the highest level of competition. AURORA and MOUZ field the only two debutants in Stage 3.

xelex (MOUZ)
soulfly (AURORA)

The opening round of Stage 1 of the IEM Cologne 2026 Major begins in a couple weeks on 2nd June. All matches will run side by side at 04:00 PM IST as per the current schedule. The MongolZ will start directly in Stage 3 alongside Vitality, Falcons, NAVI, FURIA, PARIVISION, MOUZ and Aurora.