Spirit and G2 start in Stage 2 of the CS2 Cologne Major
From June 6 to 9, Cologne hosts the second stage of one of the season’s main CS2 Majors. Sixteen teams battle in the Swiss system for the right to advance – to Stage 3, where the playoff spots are at stake. Among the participants there are both seasoned favorites and young teams that have already stood out this year.
Who left and who arrived
Eight teams advanced to this stage from Stage 1, and another eight received a higher seeding and enter the tournament right here, from scratch. Three wins in a row and you are in Stage 3. Three losses and the bags are packed. The matches build up gradually: the first day is entirely Best-of-1, and from June 7 the decisive elimination and qualification matchups begin.
Among the teams with direct entry into Stage 2, Team Spirit and G2 Esports deserve special attention. Spirit had an unstable 2026, but the victory at PGL Astana restored the confidence of much of their fan base.
Teams on the rise
Worth singling out are Legacy and FUT Esports – two squads that, literally on the eve of the Major, confirmed their form with trophies. Legacy took the CS Asia Championships 2026 and, in the final, dispatched the Falcons. FUT won PGL Bucharest 2026 – the first major title in the organization’s history. Both arrive in Cologne riding a wave of confidence, and you can feel it.
paiN Gaming is a case apart. The Brazilians are unpredictable by nature: they can take down a top favorite and, in the next match, fail where no one expected. It is precisely that turbulence that makes them one of the most interesting participants to follow.
Stage 1 teams with a chance to advance
GamerLegion reached Stage 2 after the IEM Atlanta final – considerable experience, even though Stage 1 in Cologne was tough for them. B8 made it through the qualifying phase with three wins in a row, repeating a start similar to the Major in Austin. Historically, it is harder for Stage 1 teams to advance, but both collectives give reason to be watched.
The next stage – Stage 3, from June 11 to 15 – will gather the strongest among those remaining in the fight for the playoffs. The Major final will be on June 21.
