BIG qualify for IEM Cologne Major 2026 and win HLC Belgrade PRO

Berlin, Germany – April 7, 2026 – Berlin International Gaming (BIG) has qualified for the IEM Cologne Major 2026 after a decisive run at HLC Belgrade PRO 2026 and crowned the weekend by winning the tournament with a 2:1 grand final victory over FaZe.

For BIG, the significance of this result goes well beyond one tournament title. The IEM Cologne Major 2026 will bring together 32 of the world’s best teams in one of Counter-Strike’s most iconic venues, with a $1.25 million prize pool, sold-out playoff tickets, and an expanded all-Bo3 Stage 3. The event will unfold across Stage 1 from June 2–5, Stage 2 from June 6–9, Stage 3 from June 11–15, and the Playoffs from June 18–21. For Germany’s leading esports club, qualifying for this stage on home soil is an important sporting and strategic milestone.

BIG earned that place the hard way. The team entered the final phase of the qualification race under pressure, secured the invite by reaching the final in Belgrade, and then finished the tournament as champions by beating FaZe, a team that was still playing a Major grand final last winter in Budapest. The result quickly became one of the standout storylines of the final Major qualification weekend.

The progress behind this run is measurable. BIG currently holds an 80.6% win rate over the last three months and is on a five-match winning streak. A key part of that development has been the construction of the current roster. Benjamin “blameF” Bremer, signed from fnatic in January, has added leadership and structure while posting a 1.31 rating over the last three months. Gleb “gr1ks” Gazin, who joined BIG from HEROIC in late 2025, has brought further firepower and a strong AWP presence, with a 1.16 rating over the same period. In his post-final interview, blameF described BIG as “the perfect lineup.”

For BIG, this is another important step in the club’s ambition to represent the DACH region at the highest international level. With Cologne ahead, the focus now turns to preparation for the biggest stage in world Counter-Strike.

Below you can find relevant links from our / BIG’s channels and media reactions.

1. BIG posts