Two of Counter-Strike’s most storied organizations will meet on June 15 in a match that ends one team’s tournament run. Natus Vincere and G2 Esports are set to battle for the final playoff spot at the IEM Cologne Major 2026, a $1.25 million event that has already delivered its share of drama through three stages of Swiss-system play.
Both squads sit at 2-2 heading into the elimination round. The winner advances to the playoff bracket. The loser goes home.
What’s at stake in the Swiss system showdown
The IEM Cologne Major’s expanded Stage 3 format features exclusively Best-of-3 matches, a shift from earlier rounds that raises the competitive bar considerably.
For NaVi, the roster features iM, makazze, b1t, w0nderful, and Aleksib.
