The LANXESS Arena in Cologne, Germany, opened its doors on June 18 for the first day of IEM Cologne Major 2026 playoffs, and every single seat was spoken for. The sold-out crowd marks the beginning of a four-day Counter-Strike 2 tournament carrying a $1.25M prize pool, with fans traveling from over 70 countries to watch eight teams compete for the title.
But here’s the thing. For the first time in years, not a single crypto logo appeared on a jersey, a banner, or a naming rights deal anywhere in the arena. The industry that once flooded esports with sponsorship dollars has quietly disappeared from one of competitive gaming’s most prestigious stages.
Cologne’s Major comeback
This tournament is a homecoming of sorts. The Major designation hasn’t been attached to a Cologne event in a decade. ESL, working alongside Valve and Intel, brought it back for 2026, and the response from fans has been overwhelming.
The LANXESS Arena holds over 15,000 spectators, but total attendance across the four-day playoff run is expected to exceed 50,000. The quarterfinals are scheduled across June 18 and 19, with semifinals on June 20 and the grand final wrapping things up on June 21.
