With Stage 3 concluded and the IEM Cologne Major 2026 playoffs set to kick off on June 18, the bracket structure produced immediate controversy: four of the top five seeds landed in the same half.
The Bracket
Top Half:
- QF1: Aurora Gaming (3rd) vs BetBoom Team (6th)
- QF2: FURIA Esports (2nd) vs 9z Team (7th)
Bottom Half:
- QF3: Team Spirit (1st) vs G2 Esports (8th)
- QF4: Team Vitality (4th) vs Team Falcons (5th)
The Falcons-Vitality Problem
The most eye-catching quarterfinal is Vitality vs Falcons. Two of the tournament's biggest title favorites face off in the first round of playoffs — a matchup that would have been more fitting for a semifinal or final. The bracket seeded them together because both landed on the same bracket half.
Spirit's Path
Meanwhile, Team Spirit got what looks on paper like the softer draw. G2 in the quarters, then a semifinal against the winner of Falcons-Vitality. Spirit's route was still Tier-1 but structurally easier.
FURIA's Return to Form
The Brazilians face 9z, a familiar South American rival. FURIA's roster of FalleN, KSCERATO, molodoy, YEKINDAR, and yuurih has been building momentum through the Major.
Aurora's Cinderella Continues
Aurora Gaming's run has been quietly one of the tournament's best stories. Now they face BetBoom — the Stage 1 miracle team that qualified for playoffs the hard way.
Format
All playoff matches at the LANXESS Arena are best-of-three except the grand final, which is best-of-five. Quarterfinals split across June 18-19, semifinals June 20, grand final June 21.
