xplay.gg IEM Cologne Major 2026 Pick’Em Guide
The IEM Cologne Major 2026 will take place from June 2 to June 21 in Cologne, Germany, bringing together 32 of the strongest CS2 teams in the world for one of the biggest tournaments of the year.
Often called the “Cathedral of Counter-Strike,” Cologne has been one of the most legendary locations in CS history for over a decade. This year’s Major marks the long-awaited return of a Valve-sponsored Major event to the famous LANXESS Arena, where thousands of fans will once again witness unforgettable playoff moments live.
And of course — xplay.gg is launching a special Pick’Em event for the Major, giving every CS2 fan a chance to predict match results, compete with other players, and earn rewards throughout the tournament.
What is Pick’Em on xplay.gg?
Pick’Em is a prediction game where you try to guess match results during a CS2 tournament. The more accurate your predictions are, the more points and rewards you earn.
Watching the Major becomes even more exciting because every match can affect your leaderboard position.
The better your predictions are, the higher you climb on the leaderboard — and the better rewards you receive.
Players can earn:
- xcoins
- chips for win skins
- leaderboard prizes: skins or xcoins
Here are the rewards available in the leaderboard:
To earn even more awesome rewards, you can purchase Premium access on xplay.gg or make a deposit on Skinrave.
How to Join the xplay.gg IEM Cologne Major 2026 Pick’Em Event
Joining the xplay.gg Pick’Em for IEM Cologne Major 2026 only takes a few minutes. Once the event goes live, every player will be able to make predictions for all tournament stages directly on the platform.
Pick’Em will be divided into three separate stages, each featuring its own leaderboard and unique set of rewards. That means players will have multiple chances throughout the tournament to climb the rankings, compete with other CS2 fans, and earn prizes based on their prediction accuracy during each phase of the Major.
To participate:
- Sign in to xplay.gg using your Steam account
Create or log into your xplay.gg profile to access all Pick’Em features and tournament activities.
- Open the Pick’Em section
Navigate to the dedicated Pick’Em page on xplay.gg, where all active tournament prediction events will be available.
- Select the IEM Cologne Major 2026 Pick’Em
Choose the official Major event and review upcoming matches, tournament stages, and prediction deadlines.
- Make your predictions before matches start
Pick the teams you believe will win each matchup. Predictions can be updated until the match officially begins.
- Earn points for correct picks
Every successful prediction gives you points that improve your overall ranking on the event leaderboard. Top participants will receive special rewards, including xcoins, skins, chips for participates in the giveaway.
The exact number of points you can earn is shown in the Pick’Em card when you hover your mouse over the question mark icon
- Follow the tournament live and update your strategy
As the Major progresses through the Swiss stages and playoffs, you’ll be able to track your prediction accuracy, compare results with other players, and adjust your future picks based on team performance.
Where to Watch IEM Cologne Major 2026?
The IEM Cologne Major 2026 will be broadcast across all major streaming platforms, making it easy for fans worldwide to follow every match live:
Tune in to watch all the action live as the best CS2 teams in the world battle it out for the championship title in Cologne.
Tips for Better Predictions in IEM Cologne Major 2026 Pick’Em
Be Careful With Overconfidence in Favorites During Bo1
Bo1 matches are statistically the most volatile part of any Major. Even elite teams can lose if they miss the pistol round or get their map veto slightly wrong.
Don’t Overvalue Big Names
One of the most common mistakes in Pick’Em is picking famous organizations over current form. In CS2, roster stability, recent role changes, and map pool comfort often matter more than legacy branding.
Pay Close Attention to Map Picks
Even strong teams can look unstable if they are forced to play on uncomfortable maps, while underdogs can suddenly become dangerous on their best picks.
In Bo1 matches especially, the selected map can completely shift the expected outcome, making map awareness just as important as team form or rankings. In later Bo3 stages, understanding each team’s strongest and weakest maps becomes a key advantage for making accurate predictions.
FAQ
Can I Change My Predictions?
Yes. Predictions can be changed anytime before the match starts.
Do I Need Premium to Participate?
No, all users can participate in Pick’Em. However, Premium users may receive additional rewards and bonuses.
Where Can I See My Results?
You can track your points, leaderboard position, and prediction history directly in the Pick’Em section on xplay.gg.