IEM Krakow 2026 Stage 2 Preview: Schedule, Format, and Key Details

Today, January 31, IEM Krakow 2026 moves into the main stage of the tournament. After three days of intense competition, only 8 out of 16 teams managed to survive the opening phase and advance to Stage 2. On the very first day, fans will be treated to six matches, all set to begin at 15:00 EET. From this point on, the tournament enters its decisive phase, where every match brings teams one step closer to lifting the trophy at one of the most prestigious events of the year.

IEM Krakow 2026 Stage 2: Opening Day Schedule

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On the opening day of IEM Krakow 2026 Stage 2, six matches await us, all starting at 15:00 EET. Out of the 16 teams that entered Stage 1, only 8 managed to come through grueling battles and join the giants of the scene such as Vitality, Falcons, and FURIA. Teams advancing from the first stage approach these matches highly motivated, eager to prove that their earlier success was no coincidence.

The matchday will open with The MongolZ vs G2, where bookmakers confidently favor the European side. The MongolZ are currently in a transitional phase following recent roster changes, which has had a direct impact on their consistency. G2, meanwhile, left a strong impression during Stage 1, showing resilience and the ability to adapt over the course of a series, making their victory the most logical outcome.

One of the key matchups of the day will be Natus Vincere vs PARIVISION. NAVI continue to search for consistency, while PARIVISION arrive in excellent form after winning BLAST Bounty S1 and could even climb to the top of the Valve Ranking with a victory here. The Bet Builder by GG.BET offers two distinct scenarios for this matchup. The first is a Natus Vincere win with a correct score of 2:1, priced at 3.76, which aligns well with NAVI’s experience in BO3 series. The second, far more aggressive option includes a NAVI victory, total maps over 2.5, Map 1 — makazze over 14.5 total kills, and Map 1 — PARIVISION under 10.5 total rounds, combining for odds of 15.54.

In the FURIA vs FUT matchup, the betting line leaves little room for doubt. FUT showed resilience by surviving a do-or-die match against Liquid, but facing FURIA represents a completely different level of pressure and individual quality. For FUT’s young roster, the psychological aspect could be decisive, especially if the series starts poorly. The Spirit vs Astralis match also has a clearly defined favorite. Despite Spirit’s disappointing showing at BLAST Bounty S1, the team frequently turns matches in their favor thanks to individual brilliance, most notably from donk. Under these circumstances, an upset from Astralis appears unlikely.

Special attention will be drawn to Team Vitality vs BC.Game Esports. Vitality enter the match as clear favorites, led by the best player and AWPer of 2025, ZywOo, while BC.Game are primarily associated with s1mple, who is still searching for his optimal form. The Bet Builder here balances between shock value and logic: the high-risk scenario of BC.Game winning Map 1 with total maps under 2.5 is priced at 13.03, while the more expected outcome — a 2:0 victory for Vitality with ZywOo recording over 16.5 kills and s1mple also surpassing 16.5 kills on Map 1 — comes in at odds of 7.13.

The day will conclude with FaZe Clan vs 3DMAX. 3DMAX have already secured wins over BC.Game and FUT, but the level of opposition rises significantly here. FaZe, despite a disappointing BLAST Bounty S1 campaign, surprised many by reaching the grand final of the StarLadder Budapest Major 2025. The Bet Builder considers a scenario where FaZe struggle early, dropping Map 1 but ultimately winning the series 2:1, priced at 5.19. A much bolder alternative includes a FaZe victory, total maps over 2.5, 3DMAX under 10.5 rounds on Map 1, and karrigan recording over 14.5 kills on the opening map — a combination that delivers odds of 20.02.

Looking back at the previous matchday at IEM Krakow on January 30, Bet Builder activity highlighted several clear trends among users. The matchup between GamerLegion and HEROIC emerged as the most popular fixture in terms of Bet Builder usage, attracting the highest volume of combined bets. The top winning odds of the day peaked at 4.59 in the Astralis vs NRG series, driven by a successful combination that included NRG as the match winner, Map 1 — oSee recording over 12.5 total kills (including overtime), and Map 1 — Staehr also surpassing 12.5 total kills. From a market perspective, Bet Builder users most frequently combined match winner selections with Map 1 winner (including overtime) and Map 1 round handicaps, reinforcing the trend of targeting early-map outcomes and player performance metrics as key value drivers.

The opening day of Stage 2 promises intense matchups and early storylines that could shape the rest of the event. See you at IEM Krakow 2026!

Favorites, Dark Horses, and Underdogs at IEM Krakow 2026 Stage 2

The main favorites of IEM Krakow 2026 Stage 2 are Vitality, who, after warming up at BLAST Bounty S1, look ready to quickly hit top form. The team dominated throughout last year and remains a benchmark of consistency at the highest level. Joining them among the favorites are Falcons, FURIA, and MOUZ. Falcons and FURIA look confident against lower-tier opponents and rarely allow surprises, while this tournament could be crucial for MOUZ —continued 3rd–4th place finishes may force the organization to consider roster changes.

Among the dark horses, NAVI stand out as a team that often struggles early in tournaments but can grow stronger as the event progresses. PARIVISION arrive at Stage 2 in excellent form after their BLAST Bounty S1 victory and look extremely dangerous, having already proven their success was no fluke. FaZe Clan, despite their setback at BLAST Bounty S1, remain a formidable force thanks to their experience on the big stage and their run to the final of StarLadder Budapest Major 2025. Spirit should not be underestimated either, as they often rely on donk’s individual brilliance, which can be enough to turn matches even against top contenders.

As for the underdogs, FUT are likely to struggle to consistently challenge elite teams despite the fighting spirit they showed in Stage 1. 3DMAX advanced through the opening stage without facing truly elite opposition, and matches against the giants of the scene will be a serious test for the French squad. NRG also fall into this category—a team for whom simply reaching Stage 2 is already a success, while any deeper run would be seen as a pleasant surprise rather than an expected outcome.

Where to Watch IEM Krakow 2026 Stage 2

Starting January 28, the first major prestige tournament of the year kicks off. Despite the change of location, it remains just as valuable and influential for both teams and fans. You can follow all the matches live on ESL’s official Twitch and YouTube channels.