Engin “Maj3r” Küpeli is 35 years old, which in esports years makes him roughly the equivalent of a 50-year-old NFL quarterback. And yet the Turkish-French in-game leader is proving that experience still matters, guiding Aurora Gaming through the early stages of the IEM Cologne Major 2026 with a string of convincing results.
Aurora has advanced to Stage 3 of the tournament, which runs from June 11 to June 21 in Cologne, Germany. The team has posted multiple 2-0 victories in early matches, a level of dominance that suggests this isn’t just a hot streak.
What’s happening in Cologne
The IEM Cologne Major is one of the crown jewels of the Counter-Strike calendar. Organized by ESL, the 2026 edition features 32 teams, a prize pool estimated between $1.17 million and $1.25 million, and an expanded format for its third stage, raising the stakes for teams that survive the earlier rounds. Aurora Gaming earned their spot through VRS ranking, which is the competitive qualification system that determines which teams deserve a seat at the table.
Aurora’s roster features some serious firepower alongside Maj3r. The team includes XANTARES and woxic, two seasoned Turkish players with reputations for explosive individual performances.
