ESL has refreshed its 2026 Annual Club Incentive standings following the conclusion of the IEM Cologne Major 2026, giving CS2’s top organizations an updated look at where they stand in the race for a share of the program’s $3.15 million prize pool.
The update comes after a Cologne Major that ran from June 1-20 and saw Team Falcons take the trophy, banking critical viewership points in the process. But the bigger story might be who’s no longer in the running at all.
How the ACI works and why it matters
The top 16 teams in the final standings split the $3.15 million pool, with payouts scheduled for the first quarter of 2027. Rankings get refreshed after marquee ESL events like the Cologne Major and IEM Atlanta, giving organizations a running scorecard throughout the year.
The program has been operating since at least 2025, when the pool sat at $2.95 million. The bump to $3.15 million for 2026 represents roughly a 7% increase year-over-year.
