IEM Katowice Ends in 2026 as ESL Moves Premier CS2 Event to Kraków

In a monumental shift for the Counter-Strike esports scene, ESL FACEIT Group has announced that the Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) will officially move from Katowice to Kraków in 2026, ending a historic 13-year run at the iconic Spodek Arena.

Why Is IEM Moving to Kraków?

The new venue, TAURON Arena Kraków, offers almost double the seating capacity of Spodek Arena, promising a larger and more immersive in-arena experience for fans worldwide.

In a press statement, EFG stated: “The new setting allows for a larger audience and a world-class in-arena experience that continues to push the boundaries of live esports production.”

When and Where Is IEM Kraków Happening?

• Event Dates: January 27 – February 8, 2026

• Playoffs: February 6 – 8, 2026

• Venue: TAURON Arena, Kraków, Poland

Kraków is just 84 km from Katowice, meaning fans who’ve long supported IEM Katowice won't have to travel far to witness the action in its new home.

New Era, Same Prestige

Despite the venue change, IEM Kraków is set to maintain IEM’s legacy. The 2026 tournament will feature:

• 24 of the best global Counter-Strike teams

• A $1.25 million prize pool

• Six playoff spots

While IEM Katowice is being phased out, its legacy remains powerful. The last champion to lift the trophy at Spodek Arena was Team Vitality in 2024, which kicked off a historic winning streak that spanned across IEM Melbourne, IEM Dallas, and the ESL Grand Slam.

A Multi-Year Deal with Big Impact

This isn’t a one-off move. ESL FACEIT and the city of Kraków have signed a multi-year agreement, solidifying Kraków as the new permanent home of the IEM Pro Tour Championship event.

The deal echoes the importance of long-term investment in esports tourism, which previously brought millions to Katowice’s economy. For instance, IEM Katowice 2019 generated over £14 million in local economic impact, according to a 2021 ESL FACEIT report.

Michal Blicharz, VP of Product Development at EFG, summed it up best: “For almost two decades, Intel Extreme Masters has built a heritage full of emotional and defining moments in esports history… Today, we begin a new chapter of that story in Kraków, on a bigger scale than ever before.”

What Happened to the PGL Event?

Interestingly, PGL’s own planned Kraków event, originally slated for January 2027, was abruptly canceled just hours after ESL’s announcement. The new multi-year exclusivity deal with ESL appears to be the reason behind the sudden decision.