CS2 Majors – Schedule & Guide (2026)
CS2 Majors 2026 schedule. IEM Cologne and PGL Singapore dates, teams, prize pools, sticker investments, and where to bet on Major matches with skins.
Two CS2 Majors happen in 2026. IEM Cologne in June. PGL Singapore in November. 32 teams each. $1,250,000 prize pools. These are the biggest CS2 tournaments of the year. They also create the biggest betting and sticker investment opportunities.
2026 CS2 Major Schedule
| Major | Dates | Location | Venue | Prize Pool |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IEM Cologne Major 2026 | June 2 to June 21 | Cologne, Germany | LANXESS Arena (playoffs) | $1,250,000 |
| PGL Singapore Major 2026 | November 25 to December 13 | Singapore | Singapore Indoor Stadium (finals) | $1,250,000 |
IEM Cologne is the first Major of the year. The format runs three Swiss Stages with 32 teams. PGL Singapore marks the first CS Major ever held in Southeast Asia.
Major Format
32 teams qualify based on VRS Global Rankings. Five regions send representatives: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania.
Three Swiss Stages. Teams play best-of-one and best-of-three matches in a Swiss system. Win three and you advance. Lose three and you’re out.
Playoffs. The top teams from Swiss Stages play single-elimination best-of-three matches. Grand Final crowns the Major champion.
Major Stickers
Every Major releases team and player stickers. These are in-game items you apply to your weapons. They also serve as investments.
Sticker Investment Strategy
Buy during the Major. Sticker prices are lowest during the tournament when supply floods the market. Especially during the final sale when Valve discounts stickers 75%.
Hold 6 to 12 months. After the Major ends, sticker supply stops growing. Demand from new players and collectors pushes prices up over time.
Focus on popular teams. Team stickers from fan favorites (FaZe, NAVI, Vitality) historically appreciate more than lesser-known teams.
Holos and golds. Holographic and gold stickers hold the highest long-term value. Regular paper stickers appreciate less.
Sticker investment is not gambling. You buy an item at a known price. You sell later at market price. The risk is that prices drop instead of rise. Do your research before investing.
Betting on CS2 Majors
Majors create the biggest CS2 betting markets of the year. More matches. More data. More informed bets.
| Bet Type | Description | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Match winner | Predict which team wins the match | Moderate |
| Map winner | Predict the winner of a specific map | Higher |
| Tournament winner | Predict the Major champion before the event | Hardest (best odds) |
| Round handicap | Predict the margin of victory | High |
| Over/under rounds | Total rounds played in a map | Moderate |
Where to bet: Howl.gg (skins + crypto), CSGOEmpire (skins + match betting). See our CSGO match betting sites guide for all options.
Teams to Watch (2026)
The VRS Global Rankings determine which 32 teams qualify. Top contenders based on recent form typically include NAVI, FaZe Clan, Team Vitality, G2 Esports, Team Spirit, and Heroic. Rankings shift throughout the year. Check HLTV.org for the latest standings.
How to Watch
Twitch. Official broadcasts on the ESL and PGL Twitch channels.
YouTube. VODs and live streams on the official CS2 esports channels.
HLTV.org. Live scores, stats, and match analysis.
In-game. CS2 offers in-game Major viewing with GOTV.
For CS2 gambling platforms, see our CS2 gambling sites overview.
FAQ
When are the CS2 Majors in 2026?
IEM Cologne: June 2-21. PGL Singapore: November 25 to December 13.
How many teams play in a CS2 Major?
32 teams from five global regions. Qualified through VRS Global Rankings.
What is the prize pool for CS2 Majors?
$1,250,000 per Major.
Are Major stickers a good investment?
Historically yes, especially holos and golds from popular teams. Buy during the final sale. Hold 6-12 months. Not guaranteed profit.
Where to bet on CS2 Majors?
Howl.gg (skins + crypto + sports betting) and CSGOEmpire (skins + match betting). Both hold Curaçao licenses.