Berlin, Germany – July 2026 – BIG delivered a memorable performance at IEM Cologne Major 2026, reaching Stage 2 of the tournament and creating one of the most iconic moments of the event. Competing at a home Major in front of the Cologne crowd, BIG secured a historic comeback, defeated international opponents, and showed that the team belongs on Counter-Strike’s biggest stage.
BIG Competes at the Return of the Cologne Major
IEM Cologne Major 2026 marked the return of the Major Championship to Cologne after ten years. The tournament, held from June 2 to 21, brought together 32 teams competing across three Swiss stages before the playoffs at LANXESS Arena, with a $1,250,000 prize pool.
After securing their place at the Major through HLC Belgrade PRO 2026, BIG entered Cologne looking to test themselves against the world’s best teams and represent the home crowd on one of Counter-Strike’s most prestigious stages.
Stage 1: Sixteen Straight Rounds Create Major History
BIG opened their Stage 1 campaign with a victory over Team Liquid, putting themselves in a strong position to advance through the Swiss stage.
The team’s defining moment came in the final match of Stage 1 against NRG Esports. With a place in Stage 2 on the line, BIG faced a 0-12 deficit on Mirage and had won only one T-side round on the map. What followed became one of the most remarkable moments in Counter-Strike Major history. BIG won sixteen consecutive rounds to complete the comeback and secure a 16-12 victory. The official Counter-Strike account highlighted the achievement with the words:
"Never seen before and likely never seen again."
The comeback secured BIG’s place in Stage 2 and became one of the defining moments of IEM Cologne Major 2026. Playing in front of their home crowd, BIG showed exceptional resilience and composure to turn an almost impossible situation into a historic victory.
BIG finished Stage 1 in 6th–8th place and advanced to the next phase of the Major.
Stage 2: BIG Continues to Challenge the Best
In Stage 2, BIG continued competing against some of the strongest teams in the world.
The team started the stage with two consecutive victories, including a 13-9 win over paiN Gaming, moving to a 2-0 record and putting themselves one series away from securing a Stage 3 spot. BIG faced G2 Esports in the next round with direct qualification on the line. Despite a strong challenge, BIG fell 0-2 on Inferno and Mirage, sending them into the final elimination match. Against B8 Esports, BIG pushed the series to a third map but were ultimately eliminated after a 1-2 defeat. The team finished IEM Cologne Major 2026 in 17th–19th place and earned $10,000 in prize money.
A Major Moment for BIG Counter-Strike
While BIG did not reach the playoffs, the team created a memorable chapter at IEM Cologne Major 2026. The historic 0-12 comeback against NRG Esports, the victories against international opposition, and the experience of competing at a home Major made the tournament a special moment for the organization and its fans.
BIG leaves Cologne with one of the most unforgettable moments of the tournament and a performance that showcased the team’s ability to compete on Counter-Strike’s biggest stage.
1. BIG posts
- BIG on Youtube - BEHIND THE SCENES WITH BIG AT IEM COLOGNE MAJOR
- BIG on Youtube - WELCOME TO IEM COLOGNE - BIG Major Vlog 1
- BIG on Youtube - GAMEDAY at IEM Cologne Major with BIG!
- BIG on Youtube - Counter-Strike's greatest Comeback - BIG vs. NRG
- BIG on Youtube - NEVER GIVE UP - OUR RUN TO MAJOR STAGE 2
2. External media coverage
- CS2 on X - A historic first for professional Counter-Strike
- CS2 on X - Never seen before and likely never seen again
- HLTV - BIG's comeback in Stage 2
- HLTV - tabseN interview after stage 2
3. Event information