IEM Krakow 2026 Stage 1 Preview: Tidsplan, format og vigtige detaljer

From January 28 to 30, IEM Krakow 2026 Stage 1 will bring together 16 teams competing for just 8 spots in the main stage of the tournament. The opening phase will be played in a double-elimination bracket, with all matches held in Bo3 (best of three) format, meaning teams are eliminated only after two losses—leaving little room for mistakes. There are no easy matches at this stage, as every map can prove decisive in the fight for survival.

On the very first day, fans will be treated to eight matches starting at 12:00 EET, setting the tone for an intense opening to the event. As one of the most prestigious tournaments of the year—often referred to as the “second Major”—IEM Krakow once again promises high-stakes clashes, early upsets, and relentless pressure from the opening rounds.

IEM Krakow 2026 Stage 1: Opening Day Schedule

Despite the change of location, IEM Krakow 2026 remains just as prestigious and important—not only for teams, but also for Counter-Strike fans around the world. Every team is capable of either impressing or disappointing right from the start, as the pressure will be immense from the very first rounds.

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One of the most intriguing matchups will be Passion UA vs G2 Esports. Passion UA showed a solid level of play at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, finishing in 9–11th place, while G2 Esports continue to search for consistency in their performances.

Among possible Bet Builder options by GG.BET, a 2:0 victory for Passion UA stands out with odds of 6.47 (Winner: Passion UA; Map Handicap: Passion UA -1.5). A more aggressive and risky scenario offers odds of 25, where Passion UA win the series after losing the first map (Match Winner: Passion UA; Map 1 Winner: G2 Esports; Map 1 Passion UA Total Rounds: Under 3.5), suggesting a difficult but potentially exciting series dynamic.

Another interesting matchup is NRG vs B8. Like Passion UA, B8 performed well at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025, finishing 9–11th and even putting up a fight against teams such as Falcons. However, the recent roster change—replacing headtr1ck with segukawa—could impact the team’s performance, especially at the start of the tournament.

NRG come into this match with more LAN experience and confident offline victories, which gives them an edge in terms of stability. As a result, a clean 2:0 win for NRG looks reasonable, offering odds of 4.96 (Winner: NRG; Total Maps: Under 2.5). A much riskier option with odds of 25 involves NRG dominating the first map and winning the series without a decider (Match Winner: NRG; Total Maps: Under 2.5; Map 1 B8 Total Rounds Under 4.5; Map 1 NRG Round Handicap -9.5).

Another matchup worth watching is Legacy vs BC.Game Esports. Legacy have been posting average results in regional tournaments and still lack consistency, while BC.Game —featuring s1mple, who has been with the team for a while—continue to build a competitive roster after signing two Portuguese players and aim to make a statement on the international stage.

A notable option is Bet Builder Combination 1 with odds of 8.77, where BC.Game Esports win the match, but Legacy take the first map (including overtime). For a more high-risk approach, Bet Builder Combination 2 with odds of 25 includes: BC.Game Esports winning the match, BC.Game winning the first map, Legacy +1.5 map handicap, and Legacy total rounds under 4.5 on map one (including overtime).

The opening day promises intense matchups and early storylines that could shape the rest of the event. See you at IEM Krakow 2026!

Favorites, Dark Horses, and Underdogs at IEM Krakow 2026 Stage 1

The most obvious favorite of Stage 1 is PARIVISION. Their recent victory at BLAST Bounty S1 gives them strong confidence and excellent form. Other teams expected to advance comfortably include Aurora Gaming, Team Liquid, and G2 Esports, with tougher challenges likely awaiting them in later stages.

The dark horses are teams capable of challenging favorites and even creating upsets. HEROIC, Astralis, 3DMAX, Passion UA, and Ninjas in Pyjamas all show inconsistent form or are in rebuilding phases, but under the right conditions, they can surprise their opponents.

The toughest road in this stage likely awaits paiN Gaming, NRG, and BC.Game. Even with s1mple on the roster, BC.Game have no guarantees of success. Tournaments of this scale often deliver unexpected results, so fans should be ready for both major upsets and painful disappointments — even for the favorites.

Where to Watch IEM Krakow 2026 Stage 1

Starting January 28, the first major prestige tournament of the year kicks off. Despite the change of location, it remains just as valuable and influential for both teams and fans. You can follow all the matches live on ESL’s official Twitch and YouTube channels.