IEM Cologne Major 2026 Stage 2: Preview

After BIG's incredible comeback in the final game of Stage 1 at the IEM Cologne Major 2026 which saw the final team for Stage 2 getting locked in. BIG's historic comeback from being 0-12 down also saw them write themselves into the history books but more importantly they made sure that the only German team stayed alive for the fans in Cologne. For the Asia-Pacific fans, there are two teams from the region fighting it out in Stage 2 as FlyQuest and TYLOO have both qualified from Stage 1 while the likes of THUNDER dOWNUNDER and Lynn Vision were sent packing from Stage 1 itself.

BetBoom and B8 were the first two teams to qualify from Stage 1 with the two going through with a flawless record. Brazilian squad MIBR along with M80 and GamerLegion made it as well through the 3-1 bracket. On the final day of Stage 1, the likes of BIG, FlyQuest and TYLOO qualified with TYLOO's qualification being the most remarkable as the Chinese team were 0-2 at the end of the opening day.

Amongst those who missed out, SINNERS and Gaimin Gladiators were the first two to head home with a disappointing 0-3 record. THUNDER dOWUNDER messed up a lot of Pick'ems but that was all dexter and co. could manage as them along with the Sharks, and HEROIC went out 1-3. HEROIC was the biggest name missing out while Lynn Vision, Liquid and NRG failed to qualify and exited with a 2-3 record.

In Stage 2, the eight qualified teams from Stage 1 will join the likes of Spirit, G2, Legacy, FUT, Astralis, paiN, MIBR and Monte. Spirit are the biggest favourites to make it through, given the firepower at disposal and from the 16 teams in Stage 2, the top eight will make it to the Stage 3. Stage 2 will kick off with the Swiss BO1s with the progression games being BO3 while the elimination games will also be BO3.

TYLOO will face paiN in their opening game while FlyQuest will go up against 9z in one of the two opening games of Stage 2. Astralis are set to take on GamerLegion in the other opening games.