Everything you need to know about the IEM Cologne Major 2026 Stage 3 and Playoffs

Sam "AN1MO" McKenzieJune 09, 20268:40 PM

We’re now two stages down at the IEM Cologne Major 2026, and so far, it’s been a banger.

There’s been upsets everywhere, favourites falling, and a never before seen, likely never seen again comeback, but now we’re down to the final 16 teams, and it’s time for the big boys to arrive in the competition.

Vitality, FURIA, Falcons, NAVI, all will enter in Stage 3 as Cologne enters its final two rounds, and here’s everything you need to know.

IEM Cologne Major 2026 Stage 3 teams

16 of the best teams in the world will be taking part in Stage 3, with reigning Major champions Vitality finally stepping out onto the stage.

They’ll be joined by a host of European titans, including Falcons, NAVI, PARIVISION, and Aurora, who all have a point to prove during their time in Cologne.

Also joining the competition in Stage 3 are FURIA and The MongolZ, with FURIA set to play their penultimate Major with the team after announcing his impending retirement at IEM Rio earlier this year.

Advancing from Stage 2 are the likes of Spirit, FUT, G2, Legacy, 9z, BetBoom, Monte, and B8, with BetBoom and B8 being the only teams remaining from Stage 1.

Spirit are without a doubt the favourites from this group to advance to playoffs, they smashed the Swiss stage record during Stage 2 as they went 52-10 in round wins in four short maps of play.