ESL confirms IEM Katowice to move to Kraków from 2026

ESL has confirmed that IEM Katowice will move to Kraków from 2026. The move sees one of Counter-Strike’s most iconic tournaments switch from one major Polish city to another, marking a new chapter in the Hall of Heroes’ history. The last Tier 1 event to take place in Kraków was the PGL Major back in 2017, which means it will have been nine years since Counter-Strike came to the city by the time IEM Kraków 2026 begins.

As part of the switch, ESL has also confirmed that Kraków’s Tauron Arena will play host to the event, with crowds getting together from February 6th to 8th to celebrate the best Counter-Strike teams in the world. The rest of the event will begin on January 27th, 2026.

Hall of Heroes: The Third Chapter

After Hannover and Katowice, it's time to add a new chapter to our legacy.#IEM Kraków 2026 🏆https://t.co/p4fqrCwYrV pic.twitter.com/mkeJDAubew

— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) May 29, 2025

As part of the move, VP of Product Development at ESL FACEIT Group, Michal Blicharz, gave this statement:

“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. 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 their mark in Kraków, on a bigger scale than ever before.”

While the news will come as a disappointment to those who have enjoyed the IEM Katowice events over the years, the shift to Kraków will allow crowds of fans to enjoy competitive Counter-Strike in bigger numbers than ever. This sentiment was reflected in a statement from Aleksander Miszalski, the Mayor of Krakow, who said:

“Kraków is a city proud of its royal history, but simultaneously open to the future and innovation. The global reach of Intel Extreme Masters Kraków is a chance to present Kraków to new audiences as an ideal destination for business, tourism, and investment.”

The final IEM Katowice event was won by Team Vitality, who lifted the trophy for the first time earlier this year. Next time out, it’s a chance for new legends to be made.