ESL FACEIT to Launch IEM Kraków

ESL FACEIT Group have announced that Counter-Strike will be heading to Kraków with the roll-out of a brand new event. Intel Extreme Masters Kraków is set to replace Poland's IEM Katowice on the tournament circuit, a city that had arguably become synonymous with Counter-Strike.

The tournament will now move to Kraków, Poland's second-largest market, to the TAURON Arena on February 6-8, 2026. The new venue has nearly double the capacity of Katowice's Spodek arena. IEM Kraków is set to become a recurring event in the esports calendar going forward, with the idea of housing the growing CS community. 

“For almost two decades, Intel Extreme Masters has built a heritage full of emotional and defining moments in esports history. From the early days in Hannover to the rise of new legends in Katowice, every stop along the way has left its mark on our legacy,” said Michal Blicharz, VP Product Development at ESL FACEIT Group.

“Today, as we begin a new chapter of this story, we look forward to continuing it with the world’s best gamers and esports fans, as they add new pages to it in Kraków, on a bigger scale than ever before.”

IEM Kraków will begin on January 27, 2026, where 24 CS2 teams will be fighting it out for one of six spots in the playoffs and a chance to take the trophy at the inaugural event. Fans in Kraków will have a chance to view the trophy on May 30 - June 2 at Galeria Krakowska. On June 8, the trophy will move to the Kraków City Hall during an open day and will remain there for a 2 week period.