IEM Kraków 2026: Playoffs Preview

The IEM Kraków 2026 Playoffs are the final and most exciting stage of one of the biggest tournaments of the season. After two intense stages, only six of the original 24 teams remain in the fight for the trophy. Despite the move from Katowice to Kraków, the importance of the tournament has not changed — for teams, it is a chance to make a strong statement at the start of the year, and for fans, an opportunity to watch top-tier Counter-Strike.

The opening day of the playoffs promises to be intense and action-packed, with crucial BO3 matches where every map matters.

IEM Krakow 2026 Playoffs: Opening Day Schedule

Two demanding stages of IEM Krakow 2026 are now behind us. This year, for the first time, one of the most prestigious tournaments of the year takes place in Krakow instead of the traditional Katowice. Despite the change of venue, the tournament remains just as important for both teams and fans. Out of 24 teams, only the six strongest are still competing for the first major trophy of the new year. Below, you’ll find all the key information about the opening day of the IEM Krakow 2026 Playoffs.

Combine markets on a single match with Bet Builder and compete in a €20,000 tournament from GG.BET. From January 22 to February 9, every winning bet on CS2 matches at odds of 1.50+ earns leaderboard points. Visit gg.bet now and start competing!

The first day of the IEM Krakow 2026 Playoffs will be opened by a match between Aurora Gaming and FURIA, with this BO3 series officially kicking off the battle for the trophy. Both teams confidently made it through Stage 2, and their matches were regularly used as a basis for Bet Builder bets, where GG.BET traditionally allows players to create extended combinations on a single match by combining match results with individual player markets.

A conservative Bet Builder combination for FURIA looks logical in the context of this matchup. With total odds of 6.71, it includes a FURIA match win, a correct score of 2–1, Under 20.5 kills by molodoy on Map 1, and Over 10.5 kills by FalleN on Map 1. This scenario fully aligns with Stage 2 trends, where FURIA most often won series thanks to a strong start and control of the opening map, while molodoy and FalleN remained key figures in Bet Builder combinations.

For Aurora Gaming supporters, an alternative conservative combination with odds of 8.61 may be more appealing. It is built around an Aurora win with a 2–1 scoreline, Under 19.5 kills by XANTARES on Map 1, and Over 10.5 kills by MAJ3R. This approach was the most popular among Bet Builder users during Stage 2, where Aurora frequently won close series, and MAJ3R consistently delivered in key rounds even without excessive individual numbers from XANTARES.

For those expecting a very close series with no clear favorite, a high-risk Bet Builder combination with odds of 15.81 focuses on a full BO3 distance. It includes Total Maps Over 2.5 and high individual kill totals on Map 1 for multiple players: woxic Over 10.5, molodoy Over 18.5, MAJ3R Over 14.5, XANTARES Over 14.5, and FalleN Over 12.5. This scenario reflects the nature of both teams’ Stage 2 matches, where Map 1 often turned into a high-tempo firefight with strong individual performances.

Decisive matches lie ahead, where there is no room for error!

Stage 2 Analysis (January 31 – February 3): Aurora Gaming

During Stage 2, Aurora Gaming was one of the teams whose Bet Builder combinations showed consistent success. The most frequently winning setup combined an Aurora match win, a Map 1 win including overtime, and Over 15.5 kills by XANTARES on the opening map. This structure best reflected the team’s playstyle — aggressive starts built around their star player.

The highest volume of Bet Builder bets on Aurora Gaming focused on the individual performances of XANTARES, Soulfly, and Wicadia. Users most often chose Over 15.5 kills for XANTARES on Map 1, while Soulfly and Wicadia regularly appeared in the top picks with Over 13.5 kills. This highlights trust not only in the team’s main star but also in its supporting firepower.

XANTARES was also the player most commonly expected to score an ace or a knife kill on Map 1, further emphasizing his role as Aurora’s key playmaker during Stage 2. In terms of match results, bettors most often believed in an Aurora victory with a 2–1 scoreline.

The highest winning Bet Builder odds for Aurora Gaming during Stage 2 reached 12.36 in the match against MOUZ. That combination included an Aurora win on Map 1, Over 10.5 kills by MAJ3R, Over 11.5 kills by Soulfly, and a series of unders on the opposing players: Jimpphat Under 17.5, torzsi Under 18.5, xertioN Under 18.5, and Spinx Under 19.5. This setup showcased a precise read of the Map 1 balance and became a textbook example of a successful Bet Builder strategy.

Stage 2 Analysis (January 31 – February 3): FURIA

For FURIA, Stage 2 established a clear and recognizable Bet Builder pattern focused on strong series openings. The most successful combination included a FURIA match win, a Map 1 win including overtime, and Over 14.5 kills by molodoy on the opening map. Molodoy became the central figure in FURIA-related bets throughout the entire stage.

Alongside molodoy, KSCERATO and YEKINDAR also made the top three in terms of Bet Builder activity. Users most frequently selected Over 13.5 kills for both players on Map 1, highlighting confidence in FURIA’s rifle core even against elite opponents. Molodoy was also the player most often expected to secure an ace or a knife kill, reinforcing his importance in the team’s structure.

When it came to predicting match outcomes, a 2–1 victory remained the most popular scenario for FURIA as well. This once again confirms the tendency toward tight BO3 series, where FURIA relied on consistency on the opening map and stronger in-series adaptations.

The highest winning Bet Builder odds for FURIA during Stage 2 reached 8.19 in the match against Natus Vincere. That combination included a FURIA Map 1 win, Over 12.5 kills by YEKINDAR, and unders on b1t and w0nderful at 18.5 kills. The bet successfully combined belief in FURIA’s strong start with limiting the impact of NAVI’s key players.

Favorites, Dark Horses, and Underdogs at IEM Krakow 2026 Playoffs

It comes as no surprise that Vitality enter the IEM Krakow 2026 Playoffs as the main favorites. The French team dominated throughout the 2025 season, boasts the best player and AWPer of the year in ZywOo, and is led by the highly experienced in-game leader apEX, who continues to guide his team confidently toward another title.

The only team that could realistically challenge Vitality is FURIA. The Brazilian squad won four trophies in just two months at the end of the year but disappointed at the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025. At IEM Krakow 2026, however, FURIA showed that they have worked on their mistakes and are ready for redemption. Among the dark horses, Spirit also deserve a mention — their chances often depend heavily on donk’s individual performance, and if his aim is off, their title hopes quickly fade.

As for underdogs, G2, Aurora, and MOUZ fit that category. G2 did a lot of work to reach the playoffs, but even a matchup against FURIA leaves them with little room for optimism. MOUZ have frequently finished in the top 3 or top 4 at major events, and it’s hard to see them breaking that ceiling here. Aurora fought hard, often pushing matches to overtime, but consistently lost to Vitality during this tournament. Even if they somehow reach the grand final, Vitality have clearly studied their previous meetings and should be well prepared for another encounter.

Still, as Counter-Strike has proven many times, unexpected results are always possible — so support your favorites together with EGamersWorld!

Where to Watch IEM Krakow 2026 Playoffs

Starting on February 6, the decisive stage of IEM Krakow 2026 begins, with six of the strongest teams competing for the prestigious trophy. Despite the change of location, the tournament’s importance remains unchanged for both players and fans. All playoff matches can be watched live on ESL’s official Twitch and YouTube channels.