Who Will Win the IEM Cologne Major 2026 in CS2? Favorites and Safe Pick'ems

The IEM Cologne Major 2026 is already underway and is one of the most important tournaments of the year in Counter-Strike 2. With Stage 1 in progress, Pick'ems are more active than ever and many players are looking to maximize their coins.

Who are the favorites to win the Major?

According to betting houses and recent performance, Team Vitality is the clear favorite to take the trophy. They have shown great consistency and have a very strong roster.

Other teams with good chances:

• Team Spirit and Natus Vincere appear as the main contenders.
• Teams like MOUZ, FaZe Clan and GamerLegion also have real options to go far.

Recent history: Vitality has dominated several big events in 2026, giving them a psychological and form advantage.

Pick'ems: Which votes are the most solid in Stage 1?

Stage 1 is the most unpredictable phase because it is Bo1 (best of one). Here are some tips based on current analysis:

Common recommendations for 3-0 (perfect run):

• GamerLegion — Very often mentioned as one of the safest for a sweep.

Solid teams to advance (3-1 or 3-2):

• BIG (home advantage in Germany)
• BetBoom, HEROIC, TYLOO, NRG and MIBR

Teams with high risk of 0-3:

• FlyQuest and THUNDERdOWNUNDER usually appear as the safest options for 0-3.

Key tip: Avoid putting very strong favorites in the 3-0 slot if you think they can lose a Bo1. In Majors, surprises are common in the first stage.

Why are Pick'ems so popular?

Pick'ems allow you to win special coins (up to Diamond) and stickers. Many players follow them because they combine analysis, intuition, and a bit of luck. It is currently one of the most searched topics in CS2 along with winner predictions.

General recommendation: Always check the current format of each Stage and do not copy picks 100%. Analyze the matchup, recent form, and home advantage.